MSU Extension, USDA announce Farm Bill meetings

From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announce seven Farm Bill informational meetings in communities across Montana.

MSU Extension and USDA are conducting the meetings to inform Montana producers about important changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). NAP coverage provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters.

The meetings will focus on the improved NAP program, which is administered by local FSA offices across Montana.

MSU Extension will explain the online NAP Farm Bill Decision Tool that is available to assist current and prospective NAP producers. The decision tool can be accessed at http://fsa.usapas.com/NAP.aspx.

Producers are invited to attend any of the seven scheduled meetings, which are free and open to the public.

Participants should RSVP to a local FSA office or to Jennifer Cole at 406-587-6786 or [email protected] no later than Wednesday, Feb. 3. 

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Feb. 8

Bozeman: 10 a.m.-noon, Bozeman Public Library, 626 E. Main St.,

Billings: 5-7 p.m., Residence Marriot, 956 S. 25th St. W.;

•Tuesday, Feb. 16

Missoula: 5-7 p.m., Guesthouse Inn & Suites, 3803 Brooks St.,

•Wednesday, Feb. 17

Kalispell: 10 a.m.-noon, Hilton Garden Inn, Glacier Room 1, 1840 Hwy 93 S.,

Browning: 5-7 p.m., Blackfeet Tribal Conference Room in the Roland Kennerly Building. The building is located northwest of Blackfeet Tribal Administration, which is at 640 All Chiefs Rd., Browning;

• Thursday, Feb. 18

Great Falls: 10 a.m.-noon, Montana ExpoPark Gold Buckle Room, 4003 3rd St. NW;

•Friday, Feb. 19

Sidney: 10 a.m.-noon, Richland County Extension Office, 1499 N. Central Ave.

For more information, including a printable schedule, visit MSU Extension’s Farm Bill website at http://www.msuextension.org/farmpolicy/nap.html and Montana FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov/mt.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in a meeting should contact Jennifer Cole at 406-587-6786, Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 or [email protected] by Wednesday, Feb. 3.