Julia A. Wickard, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Indiana, announced today that the Planting Transferability Pilot Project permits Indiana producers to plant approved vegetables for processing on base acres under the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program or Average Crop Revenue Election Program. Eligible producers only have until March 1, 2010 to sign up for the PTPP program. USDA will not accept any late filed applications.
"PTPP offers producers the opportunity to diversify their crop production and better use their base acres. This project supports Indiana farmers with additional sources of revenue and the production of healthy fruits and vegetables. The Indiana FSA staff works daily to provide this and other programs to eligible producers. The deadline is approaching and we encourage producers to visit their local offices to sign up for the PTPP, as well as the other farm safety net programs,” said Wickard.
PTPP allows producers to plant approved fruits or vegetables for processing on a farm's base acres. Approved plantings include cucumbers, green peas, lima beans, pumpkins, snap beans, sweet corn or tomatoes. Without the PTPP, planting of these crops on base acres would be prohibited. Base acres on a farm will be temporarily reduced each year on an acre-for-acre basis, for each base acre planted with an approved fruit or vegetable on that farm. Indiana has 9,000 acres approved for PTPP in 2010.
For more information on PTPP or other farm programs, visit your local FSA county office or the Farm Service Agency website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov./