State Executive Director Hanson Carter reminded farmers recently that they have until April 14th to sign up for the Pasture Recovery Program (PRP) at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

Twelve Georgia counties whose pastures were destroyed or damaged by severe drought in 1999 are eligible for financial assistance to help re-establish forage crops.

Eligible counties are: Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clarke, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Jackson, Lamar, Madison, Monroe, Oconee, Pike, Spalding, Taylor, and Upson.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $40 million for the program, nationally. Georgia's share of the funds will depend on how many farmers apply for assistance," said Carter.

"I encourage farmers in eligible counties to visit their local Farm Service Agency office or nearest USDA Service Center to find out if they are eligible to receive payments."

To become eligible for the PRP, counties had to qualify for both the Livestock Assistance Program and the Emergency Conservation Program, according to Clark Weaver, Chief of FSA's Price Support/Conservation/Compliance Department.

"Eligible land must be established pasture on which livestock is normally grazed and which was so damaged or destroyed by drought that seeding is required to reestablish the forage crop," said Weaver.

"Only land physically located in eligible counties qualifies for the program."

"Hayland is not eligible for the program, and re-seeding conducted prior to filing an application for PRP assistance is not eligible for payment," added Weaver. "Land may not be hayed for a five-year period."

There will be two payment rates for the PRP in Georgia to help cover the cost of the seed, seeding and fertilizer: (1) $57 per acre for PRP-1, reseeding with seedbed preparation and (2) $46 per acre for PRP-2, reseeding without seedbed preparation. Farmers who have a gross annual income in excess of $2.5 million are ineligible for PRP.

Additional information on the Pasture Recovery Program can be foundon the Farm Service Agency's website on the Internet at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov .

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