Farmers and landowners are invited to learn more about new programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly known as the Farm Bill, at an informational meeting on December 4th. The session, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and the USDA Farm Service Agency, is scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic.

Tim Eggers, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Economist, and Max Dirks, Cass County Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency, will lead the discussion. Because of the new Farm Bill, landowners are deciding whether to reallocate base acres and update yields. It is the first opportunity to make those changes since the 2002 Farm Bill.

According to Eggers, “Now is a good time for landowners and tenants to talk about the benefits of updating yields.” The Farm Bill meeting will introduce these new programs: Price Loss Coverage, County Agricultural Risk Coverage, and Individual Agricultural Risk Coverage. Eggers will also discuss how the new crop insurance product, Supplemental Coverage Option, interacts with the Price Loss Coverage program.

Eggers said, “The farm safety net has changed with the new Farm Bill. The common anchor across the new programs is the marketing year average price.” He continued, “I want farmers and landowners to understand their risk management options under the new Farm Bill and consider what they can protect against.”

There is no cost to attend the meeting. To make sure there are enough handouts and seats, please pre-register by calling Cass County Extension at 712-243-1132 or emailing xcass@iastate.edu