In the News -
December 2007
Spring Greens Growers have Earlier Deadlines of January 2
PINE BLUFF, Ark. - January 2 is the deadline for growers of spring greens to
enroll in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The $100 per
crop service fee not to exceed $300 per county is due on that date.
"This year (2007) is the first year for the implementation of the provision
in which farmers without NAP coverage or crop insurance on an eligible crop will
be declared ineligible for any financial assistance should a natural disaster be
declared," warns Dr. Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). A vegetable farmer could lose his
entire financial investment (production expenses) from a flood or drought and
receive no financial assistance to offset his losses unless he has NAP, says Dr.
English.
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable (no crop
insurance program available) when planting is prevented or yields are low
because of a natural disaster. Natural disasters include damaging weather, such
as drought, freeze, hail, excessive moisture, excessive wind or hurricanes.
The fees are not a bad investment as they protect against a 100 percent loss,
says Dr. English. NAP covers the amount of loss greater than 50 percent of the
expected production based on the approved yield and reported acreage. NAP
payments are calculated using 55 percent of an average market price for the
commodity. Fact sheets with examples of loss calculations are available at UAPB
and at the web site:
www.uark.edu/ua/mngrisk/napar.htm.
Limited Resource producers may be eligible for a waiver of service fees.
Limited resource producer status can be determined by using the USDA Limited
Resource Farmer and Rancher Online Self determination tool at
http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/tool.asp or by calling one of the following
Extension associates:
Arlanda Jacobs (870) 572-2966 - Lee, Phillips, Monroe and Arkansas counties;
Carolyn Prowell (870) 489-5855 - St. Francis, Crittenden, Cross, Woodruff,
Jackson and Mississippi counties;
Janet Breckenridge (870) 489-2336 - Desha, Drew, Ashley and Chicot counties;
Stephan Walker (870) 575-7237 - Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke and Pulaski
counties;
Kandi Williams (870) 575-2427 - Howard, Sevier, Little River, Miller and
Lafayette counties; and
Precious Williams (870) 774-0446 - Pike, Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita,
Columbia and Clark counties. Those elsewhere in the state can contact Dr.
English at (870) 575-7246.
December 14, 2007By: Carol Sanders
Writer/editor
UAPB School of Agriculture
Fisheries and Human Sciences
(870) 575-7238
sanders_c@uapb.edu
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