March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Hancock County agency gives farmers reminder

ELLSWORTH — The Hancock County Consolidated Farm Service reminds local farmers that farm programs have a new requirement this year.

“Farmers may not earn crop program benefits without crop insurance,” Sue Hill, acting county director, said in a prepared statement. The requirement is one of the features of a new law, The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.

Beginning with this year’s crops, farmers must purchase at least the minimal — or lowest — level of crop insurance to be eligible for benefits from the program run by the former Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. The new law also changed the name ASCS to CFSA, which stands for Consolidated Farm Service Agency.

The ASCS has merged with the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. “This means that you can buy minimum coverage insurance, or catastrophic crop insurance, from the new CFSA or from a private insurance agent, who can also provide additional coverage that is higher than the minimum,” Hill said.


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