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Important FSA program reminders
LEXINGTON - The Rockbridge/Alleghany/Bath County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office would like to remind producers of the following:
Foreign Landowners: The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign investors who buy, sell, or hold a direct or indirect interest in U.S. agricultural land must report their holdings and transactions to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Farm Service Agency administers this program for USDA. Foreign persons who have purchased or sold agricultural land in the county are required to report the transaction to FSA within 90 days of the closing. Failure to timely submit the AFIDA form could result in civil penalties of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of the property. County government offices, realtors, attorneys and others involved in real estate transactions are reminded to notify foreign investors of these reporting requirements.
Civil Rights Complaint Process: Any person, class or group of persons may file a discrimination complaint within 180 days of an alleged discriminatory action. Complaints may be filed in writing or orally with the agency head, any designated agency official or the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Assistance in filing a complaint can be obtained by calling or visiting any FSA office.
Spousal Signatures: Husbands and wives may sign documents on behalf of each other for FSA and Commodity Credit Corporation programs in which either has an interest. This option is automatically available unless a written request for exclusion is made to the county office by either spouse.
Direct Deposit: As of January 1, 1999, all payments issued by the county FSA office will be by direct deposit (electronic funds transfer) to a pre-designated checking or savings account with your financial institution. Forms are available at the FSA office to sign up for direct deposit if you haven't yet. For those already signed up, it is important that we are notified anytime there is a change in your account number, routing number, or financial institution. Payments can be delayed if we are not aware of these changes.
Reporting Farm Information: If you have bought, sold, or are renting different land, make sure you report the changes to the FSA office as soon as possible after they occur. For farm ownership changes you will need to provide
a recorded deed or recorded land contract and survey or plat. Failure to maintain accurate records with FSA on all land you have an interest in can lead to possible program ineligibility and fines if you are participating in our programs.
For assistance on any Farm Service Agency programs, please contact the Rockbridge- Alleghany-Bath County Farm Service Agency at (540) 463- 7124, option 2, between the hours of 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's Target Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Special accommodations will be made for the physically handicapped, vision, or hearing-impaired person under request. If accommodation is required, please call the FSA Office at (540)463-7124, Ext. #2.
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