SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — Michigan State University Extension is partnering with local USDA Farm Service Agencies to provide Farm Bill educational sessions across Michigan, including sessions in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. 

The 2018 Farm Bill provides a one-time opportunity for producers to update their yields based off 2013 through 2017 production and records, and producers should begin that process now, according to MSU Extension representatives.

Meetings will be about two hours in length and times may vary depending on the location of the meeting.  Additional dates will be added through the winter prior to FSA deadlines. There is no cost to attend, though preregistration is required. For more information, visit MSU.edu.

At these meetings, producers will:

• Hear highlights of the 2018 Farm Bill and assessments of today’s market compared to five years ago.

• Learn about the process of updating their yields with FSA.

• Work through case examples using the MSU Extension 2018 Farm Bill Calculator to help make better decisions on ARC versus PLC. (Each crop and FSA farm number may result in a different choice.)

•Discuss specific program details with local FSA staff.

Local meeting dates and locations include:

• Berrien County — 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 6 at Berrien RESA, 711 St. Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs

• Cass County — 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac

• Van Buren County — 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Van Buren Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence