IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

• CRP EMERGENCY GRAZING available. Contact FSA to begin the process. GRAZING IS NOT AUTHORIZED UNTIL FSA APPROVAL IS GRANTED.
• CRP CONTRACT MANAGEMENT - management activities are now authorized. For grazing activities, producers MUST contact FSA to determine if grazing can be completed.
• AUGUST 12, 2026- SDRP - Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – Stage 1 and Stage 2 – application.
• AUGUST 31, 2026 - Review base allocation summary, deadline to notify FSA regarding acreage corrections, resolving subsequent acres or opting-out.
• SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 - Deadline for notifying FSA to be considered a Qualifying Pass-Through Entity or QPTE for 2026 forward. Specific to LLC’s and S-Corps only.
• LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM - Kiowa County eligible for 5-month payment. Apply before March 1, 2027.
• VISIT Farmers.gov for more information regarding deadlines and programs available through FSA and NRCS.

Qualifying Pass-Through Entities

An email was sent to entity contacts a few weeks ago, specifically the entities that are Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Company and Corporations. Responses have been slow, producers who receive payments through one of the entities mentioned above; need to contact the FSA before September 15th.

Be reminded; entities that don’t qualify as pass-through entities will be required to complete a new 902, farm operating plan for 2026. Entity 902’s completed after September 15th will need to submit additional paperwork supporting the pass-through entity status.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding payment limitation and payment eligibility provisions that affect program payments including allowing for the equitable treatment of business entities. Additionally, producers will benefit from an increased payment limitation for certain programs, and a broader definition of farming income that will result in more exceptions to income limitations.  

These changes were outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act which provides a large investment in American agriculture by improving eligibility provisions, the farm safety net, disaster assistance, and price support programs. USDA previously announced that this fall, producers will benefit from increased reference prices for major commodities. This announcement gives producers more flexibility in structuring their operations and provides a stronger safety net.

Payment Eligibility 

Starting with the 2026 crop year, for payment eligibility purposes, FSA will treat applicable limited liability companies (LLCs) and S-Corporations (S-Corps), and other similar entities, as “pass through entities.” Each member of the qualified pass-through entity who meets actively engaged in farming criteria will help qualify the entity for expanded payments. 

Previously, farm operations that were structured as an LLC or an S-Corp were limited to a single payment limitation, which varies by program. Now, partnerships, S-Corps, qualifying LLCs, and joint ventures or general partnerships will be treated the same. 

For program year 2026 only, farm operations that are structured as LLCs or S-Corps or one of the new qualified pass-through entities must file updated farm operating plans with FSA for program year 2026 by Sept. 15, 2026. After program year 2026, FSA will continue to use June 1 as the date for determining ownership interest in an entity. Producers who have crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage should contact their crop insurance agent or local FSA office before restructuring their farm operation to ensure appropriate timing for restructuring without impacting current insurance coverage. 

Members of qualified pass-through entities must provide contributions and be engaged in farming for the entity to be considered actively engaged in farming. 

An additional change allows members of all entity types to receive compensation for labor and management contributions and use the same contribution to qualify as “actively engaged in farming.” This update provides consistent treatment of member contributions across all entity types.

Payment Limitation and Attribution

Payment limitation changes include an increased payment limit for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Starting with crop year 2025, the ARC and PLC payment limit will increase from $125,000 to $155,000. This payment limit will be adjusted going forward annually based on inflation.   

Payment limitations are the maximum amount that a person or legal entity can receive for any crop year, directly or indirectly, through certain USDA programs. The same maximum payment limitation that applied to joint ventures and general partnerships will apply to qualified pass-through entities. 

The policy change to payment limitation calculations takes effect beginning with program year 2026 for all qualified pass-through entities.

• Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) & Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Base Allocations.
• Review Base Allocation Summary Starting June 1

Background

On July 4, 2025, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed providing an additional 30 million base acres to be added to farms nationwide. The base acre allocation is in preparation for enrollment in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2026 and future years. The enrollment period will be announced at a later date. 

Starting June 1, 2026, landowners will be able to access their Base Allocation Summary online or in their local FSA office. 

Landowners

Landowners have from June 1 through Aug. 31, 2026, to review their owner notification and base allocation summary(s). Landowners who have a Login.gov account can access their Base Allocation Summary online using the link below. Landowners who do not have a Login.gov account can contact their local Farm Service Agency office for information on how to receive their summary.

After reviewing the Base Allocation Summary, landowners should contact their local FSA office if:

• Acreage history data is incorrect or missing 
• There are “subsequent acres” listed and they would like to choose the subsequent acreage for base allocation 
• To opt out of receiving any additional base acres

Landowners have until Aug. 31, 2026, to take any of the actions listed above or to appeal the accuracy of information contained in the Base Allocation Summary to the FSA County Committee by filing a written request. 

After reviewing your base allocation summary, no further action is required if the information is correct. If FSA is not notified, the Base Allocation Summary will be considered accurate and complete. All acreage reported as eligible in the summary will be used to determine the new base allocation percentage, and new base acres will automatically be allocated to the farm(s) with the designated percentage for each farm(s). 

Farms will maintain current base acres; however, eligible farms may increase base acres through the base allocation process. After the base allocation process is completed, election and enrollment for ARC and PLC will be announced for program year 2026. 

Operators

Landowners were sent a postcard with instructions for accessing their Base Allocation Summary either through Login.gov or through their local Farm Service Agency office. 

 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITES

July 15th was the end of primary nesting season in Colorado and contract management activities can resume.

STRIP TILLAGE

If producers are doing strip tillage on 51% of the acres, it’s always a good idea to contact FSA to ensure that all the necessary paperwork has been completed. NRCS maintains a list of contractors that can complete the activity. The list can be emailed if you contact the FSA office.

GRAZING

Producers begin the grazing requests with FSA, NRCS completes a site visit to determine if the land is suitable for grazing. If the land can be grazed, NRCS will complete a grazing plan and a revision of the conservation plan. The CRP producer will sign the required paperwork, not the individual with the livestock. It is the responsibility of the CRP producer to maintain compliance with the terms and conditions of the CRP contract. Once all the paperwork has been completed and approved, grazing can begin. FSA will issue final approval.

DROUGHT MONITOR

This week’s drought monitor covers the high plains region, states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Dakota’s. As you can see, those east of Colorado aren’t experiencing extreme drought conditions. Hopefully, this monsoon will bring some much-needed moisture to the area.

USDA SERVICE CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION

409 E Lowell Ave., PO Box 188 – Eads, CO 81036

Telephone 719-438-5851 FSA (Ext 2), NRCS (Ext 3). FSA Fax number: fax2mail 844-332-7501

FSA - Farm Service Agency

• Dawna Weirich – CED dawna.weirich@usda.gov
• Brandi Nevius – PA brandi.nevius@usda.gov
• Teri Ellis – PA teri.ellis@usda.gov
• Katie Kopasz - PA Katherine.kopasz@usda.gov

OFFICE EMAIL: SM.SA.CO.KIOWA@USDA.GOV

NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service

• James Brenner – james.brenner@usda.gov - Acting Resource Team Leader

KIOWA COUNTY FARM LOAN CONTACT

Telephone 719-336-3437 (ext. 2)

Nicole Lubbers, nicole.lubbers@usda.gov

Mary Rhoades, mary.rhoades@usda.gov

SERVICE CENTER OFFICE HOURS:

Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For information on programs visit our website located at www.fsa.usda.gov or like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

RECEIVE USDA INFORMATION

There are many ways for our customers to receive up to date FSA and NRCS information. Below are different avenues to obtain information.

• Visit website www.Farmers.gov for up-to-date information for FSA/NRCS programs.
• Receive text messages - Text COKiowa to FSANow (372-669) to subscribe.
• Subscribe to GovDelivery emails: Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe or contact your local FSA Office.
• For information on programs visit our website located at www.fsa.usda.gov or like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

It is the customers responsibility to know what programs and benefits are available.