Page 26 Dairy Star Saturday, February 13, 2016

The ARC/PLC sign up began on Dec. 7, 2015 and ends on Aug. 1, 2016. Producers have already made the choice between ARC and PLC which remains in effect through 2018, but producers must still enroll their farm by signing a contract each year to receive coverage and be eligible for payments should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. FSA encourages pro-ducers to complete the 2016 contracts now before the spring planting begins. Some FSA of ces are sending out appoint-ment cards and some are notifying produces using GovDeliv-ery newsletters or emails, but it is still the producers respon-sibility to sign the contracts if you want to participate in FSA programs. I encourage you to please call your local FSA of ce and make an appointment before coming into the FSA of ce. With an appointment the staff can make sure to have the farm les ready for you to sign contracts if nothing has changed since 2015. Please remember if you rented new land or ownership on a previously rented farm has changed, you will need to bring in your 2016 leases that re ect these changes, so the FSA of ce can update our farm records and have the correct producer on the farm. If you purchased new land, please bring the recorded deed in so the farm records can be updated ac-cording to the county records. Transactions completed at the court house are not auto-matically updated with FSA. This information needs to be submitted so all farm records can be updated. If you have any questions, please call your local FSA of ce prior to your appointment.CRP general signup FSA is currently holding a general Conservation Reserve Signup (CRP). The general signup started on Dec. 1, 2015 and runs until Feb. 26, 2016. If you are interested in sub-mitting an offer, please call your local FSA of ce to make an appointment. Farm Loan Manager, Jerry Hurrle, encourages producers to maintain good records Are you ready to begin a new year? Time seems to pass so quickly with everyones

By Phyllis FramstadStearns Co. Exec. Dir.

FSA News & Notes

FSA has begun 2016 ARC/PLC sign upbusy schedules. As you start a new year, FSA wishes everyone a successful and prosper-ous 2016. It is also time to nalize your records for 2015 and begin planning for 2016.This is a good time to review how well organized and prepared your records are. Will it beeasy for you to nalize your 2015 records and prepare for your income taxes, or are yousearching through piles of receipts and paperwork trying to remember what all happenedlast year? Now is a good time to review your record keeping process and make changesor improvements, so you do not have the same frustrations next year. If you need nancial assistance, we also recommend that you contact your lender or FSA as soon as possible. It is important to be prepared with up-to-date nancial information when you meet with your lender.USDA expands microloan program Producers, including beginning and underserved farmers, have a new option to gainaccess to land. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new nancing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farm-ers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. The microloan program, which celebrates its third anniversary this week, has beenhugely successful, providing more than 16,800 low-interest loans, totaling over $373 mil-lion to producers across the country. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expensessince 2013. Seventy percent of loans have gone to new farmers. Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchas-es, and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to quali ed producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimina-tion should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and up-dates on USDA programs.

More Yield - More Pro tSpeaker: James Emter

Grain and Livestock Market Outlook-James Emter, CEO of Van Ahn and Company, Inc. will share an outlook for commodity markets, crop inputs,

and discuss marketing plan strategies.

Planning Your LegacyPanel presentation by Cathy Olson- Sr. Business Counseling Specialist,

AgStar Financial Services, Gary Hachfeld, University of Minnesota Extension Educator and Brian J. Schoen-born, attorney at Stinson Leonard Street will speak on key steps, tax strategies and insights on developing and

implementing a successful farm transition plan.

Visit our website for a complete seminar description and schedule

OVER 300 BOOTHS!The Latest Farm Equipment and related products!

Prizes and Giveaways Free milk, coffee and donuts from 9-11 am

FREE Seminars

Check out these Central MN Farm Show exhibitors at the show and see our CMFS tab at www.dairystar.comBUSINESS BOOTHAg Solutions ...............................................104Ag Tech Drainage .......................................... 5AgStar Financial ................................801-900Aldrich Tractor ............................. 5003-5017American Door Works .............................835AMPI .........................................................6004AMPS, Inc ..................................................818Arnolds Equipment, Inc. .................901-907,

1000-1006Arnzen Construction/ St. Rosa Lumber ..... 2001-2005, 3000-3004Barron Built ................................... 1050-1052

Bongards Creameries .............................1020Boss Supply.................................... 6005-6007Byron Seeds ................................................606Centra Sota Co-op ... 4001-4013; 5000-5012Central Petroleum (Cen-pe-co) ..............508Cy Pfannensten Music Service ..............1015Dairyland Supply, Inc. .....601-621, 700-720Freeport State Bank ...................................807G3 Power Systems .....................................503Gilman Co-op Creamery..................913-919Hodgman Drainage ...................................616Hutton, Inc. .............................................6009

Lifestyle Lumber ........................................719McKays Dodge ........ 3001-3005; 4000-4004Messer Repair and Fabrication 103-105-107Modern Farm Equipment ...............832-838;

837-843; 936-1038Midsota .......................412-414-416-418-420Midwest Machinery .........519-521; 618-620Mimbach Fleet ...................................120-122MN Pro Fence ....................................509-511Northland Buildings .................................914Olivia Chrylser ..........................................N/APauls Welding and Repair ........................102

R.J Lanners, inc. Trucking .......................N/ARDO Equipment ...............115-121; 214-220River Power & Equipment ................500-502Schlenner Wenner & Company ...............918Star Publications ............................................ 7Stearns Bank ...............................................405Stearns County Farm Bureau ...................902Sunrise Ag ..................................................711Tracy Seeds ...............................................1003Weiser Concrete Products, Inc. ...............201Wingert Sales and Service ........221-318-320Woller Equipment .............................310-312

Dairy Star Saturday, February 13, 2016 Page 31

By Cassie OlsonStaff Writer

Overview: Th e S.P.A.M. Conference was designed to bring a full spectrum of professionals together with topics that really matter in todays agricultural, livestock, soil, and human health world. We cordially invite you to our third annual S.P.A.M. conference!Accommodations: Limited rooms available at Knights Inn in Rock Valley, IA. Please call for reservations (712) 476-9388.Meals: Non GMO and organic meals and snacks will be available Th ursday evening, Friday, and Saturday.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Bring your soil samples, soil tests and questions!Th e pros will be here to help! Lots of round table time!

Please RSVP for meals and attendance. Call Roger at 605-370-2249 or Chad 605-759-5622More info at our website www.naturesbestllcsupply.com

Natures Best L.L.C. 3rd Annual

S.P.A.M. CONFERENCEMarch 10 - 12, 2016

at Natures Best L.L.C., 311 S. Main St., Inwood, IA 51240

Rick Bednarck (Iowa State Soil Scientist)Will Winter (Grass Farmer Supply)Clayton Stadtler (Natures Best L.L.C.)Dr. Richard Olree (Hillman Health Foods)Rick Tamm (Byron Seed Co.)Dr. Paul Klebs (Homeopath)Dr. Mike Stahl (Natures Best L.L.C.)Dr. Neal Rohe (Inspired Chiropractic)

Dr. Jay Ortman (Ortman Clinic)Molly Haviland (Certifi ed Soil Life Consultant)David Casper, PhD (SDSU Dairy Nutritionist)Mike Terpstra (Simplex Seed Co.)Roger TeSlaa (Natures Best L.L.C.)Chad Tesch (Natures Best L.L.C.)Dan Yegge (Ag Performance Financial)

HURKES IMPLEMENT COMPANYSales: 605-886-3817 Parts: 605-882-3420

North Hwy. 20, Watertown, SD

WINTER CLOSEOUTS

Brent 1100 bu. Track Cart w/scale & tarp. First $37,900 takes it!

$95,000 replacement

NH 8630, Powershift, 90% rubber, 6500 hrs.

on engine reman - $29,500

Ford 2000, power steering,

runs great! $3,900

Loftness 1082I, HD, 9 ft., nice

$7,500

Bobcat S-185, only 385 hrs., cab, AC,

like new! $28,500

BLOCKBUSTER SPECIAL!New M100GX Kubota, powershift, w/HD

Kubota loader, bucket & grapple Sale! $72,500

5 years 0% and 3 year warranty

LOADERSBobcat S-330, 3500 hrs., 85 HP, 3500 lbs. lift ...................................... $31,500Bobcat S-250, 6000 hrs., cab, heater ...... $24,000NH L180, cab, htr, 1300 hrs., excellent ... $32,500NH 785, diesel, lifts 2500 lbs. .................. $8,500NH 225, Wisconsin engine ...................... $4,700Wood/Dual 360 loader, 8 1/2 HD bucket, double cyl. grapple, nice shape .............. $4,500

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I was really nervous on the morning of Oct. 27, 2012. Hours of hard work, a tremendous group of supporters and an inconceivable amount of memories had led me to this morning. I zipped my blue corduroy jacket one last time, wiped a tear from my eye and left my hotel. I was heading to the American FFA Degree ceremony, which would mark the end of a remarkable eight years I had spent as an FFA member. I was rst exposed to FFA when I was very young. For as long as I can remem-ber, my dad has been active in my local FFA Alumni chapter, hauling me along to the county fair, annual Toy Show and the occasional monthly meeting as long as I have been able to walk. It was no secret when I reached middle school that I wanted to be an FFA member. I joined the FFA in seventh grade. I lled out a membership form, gave my adviser a handful of crum-pled dollars and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. From speaking contests to conventions, a week rarely went by that I didnt have my blue corduroy jacket with me. It sounds so harmonious to hear former FFA mem-bers talk about their time in the blue jacket, but we of-ten forget amongst the excitement of it, a lot of change happens in their short time as members. One of the ear-liest memories I have in FFA was attending the Made for Excellence (MFE) con-ference. I had been so excited to travel with my friends in my chapter that I didnt realize I would be meeting many new people. I recall arriving to the conference and getting my room assignment, only to realize I wasnt staying with the girls from my chapter, but rather girls from three other chapters in our area. Immediately, I panicked, frightened by the idea of going outside of my comfort zone and meeting a group of complete strangers. Regard-less of my hesitations, my adviser and friends calmed me down and I went on to have a great experience at the conference. Looking back on that single moment now, I cannot help but laugh at my-self because of who I have become. FFA exposed me to an incredible amount of beautifully-driven people over the course of eight years, whether they were from just down the road or from the edges of the country. Through contests and com-petitions, I was able to cultivate skills that helped me become a better student and ultimately led me to my career. FFA recently received a lot of backlash from an activist organization by dis-secting everything from the FFA mission statement to its motto in an attempt to bring negative attention to its activities through an online blog post. It pains me to think that there is support out there against an organization I personally watched develop good people into great farmers, leaders and agriculturalists who continue to make an impact worldwide. In response to the post, it was moving for me to see social media become alive with thousands of FFA members, alumni and supporters share their story via the hashtag #FFAproud. So many people shared stories, memories and photos, show-ing just how positive of an impact FFA has had in the lives of students. It brought back the same nervous excitement I knew too well from my time spent in the cor-duroy jacket. As you may know from your own communities, FFA week is coming up on Feb. 20-27. From events in their schools to public displays in the community, 629,367 FFA members representing 7,757 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will celebrate the organization that offers just as much op-portunity to them as I experienced over the course of my membership. On the afternoon of October 27, 2012, I took off my blue jacket one last time and shed a few tears as I reminisced on the experiences I had over the course of eight years. FFA had a large role in shaping me into the person I am today and continues to make a tremendous impact in the lives of students across the nation. The blue jacket is so much more than just a jacket; its a driving force in the devel-opment of the youth of our industry. I can passionately say that I am FFA proud.

More than just a jacket