NAP deadline nearing
Farmers have until Nov. 21 to sign up for 2010 Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP) crop coverage. The deadline applies to asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey and maple syrup.

NAP covers losses caused by damaging weather conditions for crops. Producers receive payments if the loss is in excess of 50 percent and production losses are paid at 55 percent of the established price for the crop.

The service fee is $250 per crop per county or $750 per producer per county. The fee cannot exceed a total of $1,875 per producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Limited resource producers may request a waiver of service fees.

Growers should contact their local Farm Service Agency office to obtain NAP coverage or for additional information before the deadline. For more information concerning Farm Service Agency programs, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/.

Cooperative farming review
A compatibility determination for cooperative farming on Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Oak Harbor is available for a 14-day public review that ends Nov. 23.

Cooperative farming is a tool used by Ottawa NWR to keep some newly acquired lands farmed until restoration of those parcels is financially feasible. The program does not bring any existing refuge lands into farming; it merely allows newly purchased agricultural fields to continue to be farmed prior to habitat restoration. The farming program supports the habitat management goals and objectives of the Refuge.

A compatible use is any use of a National Wildlife Refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purposes for establishing the Refuge.

Copies of the determination can be requested from the refuge. They are also available for review at the refuge visitor center located at 14000 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor.

Written comments, requests for the document or questions may be directed to Jason P. Lewis, Refuge Manager at 419-898-0014 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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