USDA reminds farmers to certify conservation compliance by June 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form, AD-1026.

Farmers must file with local USDA service centers by June 1 to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.

Many farmers already have a certification form on file since it’s required for participation in USDA programs such as marketing assistance loans, farm storage facility loans and disaster assistance. Farmers such as specialty crop growers who receive federal crop insurance premium support but may not participate in other USDA programs also must now file a certification form to maintain their crop insurance premium support.

Producers who file their forms by the deadline will be eligible for premium support during the 2016 reinsurance year, which begins July 1.

The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form is available at USDA service centers and at fsa.usda.gov/AD1026form. When a farmer completes the form, USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with highly erodible land and wetland provisions.