Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana, Julia Wickard, recently announced the enrollment for the 2010 Direct and Countercyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program has begun and will continue through June 1, 2010.

“We at FSA urge producers to make use of the eDCP automated website to sign up,” Wickard said. “The electronic service saves producers’ time, reduces paperwork and speeds up contract processing at their local FSA offices.”

“USDA’s new revenuebased ACRE program produced approximately 10,000 farms enrolled in fiscal year 2009 and 105,000 farms enrolled in the traditional DCP Program. Our county office employees stand ready to assist Indiana farmers during this sign-up period.” Wickard said.

Wickard adds that eDCP is available to all producers who are eligible to participate in the DCP and ACRE Programs and can be accessed at fsa.usda.gov/dcp. To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account which requires filling out an online registration form at eauth.egov.usda.gov followed by a visit to the local USDA Service Center for identity verification.

Producers without internet access or if they prefer can also visit any USDA Service Center to complete their 2010 DCP or ACRE contract.

The decision to enroll in the ACRE Program is irrevocable. The owner of the farm and all producers on the farm must agree to enroll in ACRE. Once enrolled, the farm shall be enrolled for that initial crop year and will remain in ACRE through the 2012 crop year.

The June 1 deadline is mandatory for all participants. USDA will not accept any late-filed applications.

For information on DCP or ACRE visit a FSA county office or go to fsa.usda.gov.