Farming

The USDA Farm Service Agency has completed the payments for Harrison County’s 1,628 Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP) contracts for 2012. Payments totaling $2,824,886 have been deposited into contract holders’ bank accounts beginning Jan. 19, 2012. TTPP contracts are paid through 2014. There are two annual payments remaining 2013 and 2014.
For producers with grain bases, sign up for the 2012 Direct and Counter Cyclical (DCP) program began Jan. 23, 2012 with a deadline of June 1, 2012.

USDA Kentucky Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, John W. McCauley, reminds producer’s enrollment for Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program or the traditional Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) began Jan. 23 and will run through June 1.
“Farmers in Kentucky who are interested in enrolling in these programs need to add this important deadline to their list of ‘must do’ jobs,” McCauley said. “Producers should contact the local county office to set up appointments.”

Spring bulbs popping up everywhere as temperatures roller-coaster from the teens to the 60’s has left many scratching their heads; there is not much we can do to fool Mother Nature so we must be patient and hope that we have a decent display come March.  
I have some foliage that has turned to mush but the bulb and bloom is still safe beneath the soil surface; the bulb will send up fresh foliage in due time.  

The Harrison County Farmers’ Market committee will offer an educational meeting discussing early spring crops including cole crop production.  The meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison County Extension Office.
Producers usually question the time of plant and what the expected maturity date would be. This meeting will discuss these matters and will also include seed and plant selection for your garden.