CED Change in Sanborn Jerauld –  My last day in Sanborn/Jerauld will be Friday, Feb. 5. After nearly 14 years with FSA here, I will be transferring to the Davison/Hanson FSA County Office in Mitchell effective Feb. 8. I want to thank my current and former staff members: Marli, Lynne, Kim, Sherri, Lynda, Dani, Peggy and Amy for their hard work and keeping the ball rolling on all FSA requirements and changes;  NRCS employees: Donna, Kent, Scott and Marcia for a good working relationship; thanks to the County Committee members for input and support; current COC members: Brett Lowrie, Mike Mickelson, Jim Huck, Sandy VonEye and Jeff Reider; past Minority Advisors: Ruth Estabrook and Wendy Peer; former COC members during my tenure: Jim Johannsen, Todd VanWalleghen, Darin Uttecht, Aaron Allbee, Curt Olinger and Andrew Arhart.  Thanks to all.
And so I bid you farewell after almost 26 years of living and working in the Sanborn/Jerauld county area. Where did the time go?
Acting CED: Beginning Feb. 8, Brenda Wicks will assume the duties of Acting CED in the Sanborn/Jerauld FSA County Office on a part-time basis. Brenda has been the CED in Beadle County for five-plus years and will manage Sanborn/Jerauld until a full-time CED is in place. You are left in good hands with Brenda and the current office staff.
Thank you to Sanborn Weekly Journal and True Dakotan News. Your willingness to print USDA and FSA news releases is a great help and essential in getting the word out to the public on local program availability, requirements and deadlines. This is much appreciated and we thank you for it.
Beginning Farmer, Underserved and Limited Resource Priority – FSA program participants who meet these criteria are sometimes eligible for program priority and/or reduced or waived fees.
Definitions: A “Beginning Farmer” has not actively operated/managed a farm for more than 10 years and if an entity, all members must be related.  “Underserved” means members of groups who have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice, including women.  “Limited Resource” means a producer whose income the past two years does not exceed defined limits. Limited Resource status can be determined by using the tool at http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/tool.aspx.
Bottom line… if you think you meet any of these definitions, you might want to bring it up the next time you apply for something.  It might help.
“USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.”