PRINCESS ANNE — Farm Service Agency University of Maryland’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC), University of Maryland Extension (UME), Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and USDA – Risk Management Agency would like to announce a series of upcoming Farm Bill workshops across Maryland.

The Lower Shore Farm Bill Workshop is set for Wednesday, Jan. 7 at Wor-Wic Community College and limited to the first 30 registrants. It will build upon the earlier ones held in August and familiarize participants with final rules, signup deadlines, and how to utilize decision tools to pick the program options that work best for a producer.

Producers will hear from experts with FSA on the finalized program rules and signup deadlines for the new commodity programs Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) programs and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program and the new Dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP).  Decision tools developed in partnership with FSA will be highlighted by representatives from the Department of Ag and Resource Economics.  The decision tools are designed to help producers gain an understanding of how these programs could potentially manage risks in their operations.  USDA-RMA will cover new crop insurance options, such as Supplemental Coverage Option.

Finally, participants will be provided with an opportunity to utilize the web-based decision making tools and ask questions to the trainers.  The decision making process in the 2014 Farm Bill is not an easy process, and understanding how the decision making tools can aid in this decision will allow the producer to make a better decision for their individual operation.  Producers are highly encouraged to bring past yield histories, previous planting histories, and base acres for at least one farm to see how a program would impact your farm.

The workshop will run from 9:30 to 3 p.m. and lunch will be provided.  Preregistration is required and is $10, contact Jarrod Miller at jarrod@umd.edu, phone 410-651-1350 or register online at https://lsfarmbill2015.eventbrite.com

— Dr. Miller is the UME’s agriculture educator for the four counties of the Lower Shore.