Through Nov. 18 Farmers and ranchers who suffered losses due to flooding in 2011 may file for federal cost share assistance through Nov. 18. The Emergency Conservation Program provides assistance to help producers with the costs associated with rehabilitating cropland and returning the land to agricultural production. Ward County producers may apply for assistance to remove debris from cropland and/or restore permanent fencing. The application must be filed before work begins. Although Ward County has been approved to accept ECP applications, funding is not currently available. Contact the Ward County FSA office at 852-5434 for more information.
Through harvest North Dakota Harvest Hotline, for farmers who need combining services and independent combiners who are looking for work. Call 328-4997 and your name will be put in a database to be matched up with other callers. North Dakota Department of Agriculture employees will answer calls to the hotline weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Through Sept. 30, 2012 Sign up for the Milk Income Loss Contract Program will continue through the program's expiration date, Sept. 30, 2012. For more information, contact local Farm Service Agency offices.
Monday and Tuesday 2012 Farm Bill: Issues and Challenges, Fargo. Organized by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Won Koo, director for the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, this conference's purpose is to identify farm policy alternatives which provide for a prosperous and vibrant rural economy, and discuss key issues influencing the U.S. agricultural sector, including bioenergy production, macroeconomic conditions, farm safety-net, conservation, and trade policies. Registration fee is $150 if registered on or before Oct. 17, $180 after that date, until the registration deadline Oct. 28. For more information contact Sandy Osborne at 231-8642 or sandy.osborne@ndsu.edu, or go online to (www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/CAPTS).
Nov. 18 Income Tax Management for Ag Producers IVN, 9 a.m. to noon. An interactive video program to assist you with year-end farm business decisions and retirement planning. Seating is limited at some locations so pre-registration is required at $12/person. Locations include Bottineau County Courthouse in Bottineau; North Dakota School for the Deaf, IVN room 2, 1401 College Drive N., in Devils Lake; North Central Research Extension Center, 5400 U.S. Hwy 83 S., in Minot; and Williams County Courthouse, 204 E Broadway, Conference Room, in Williston. For more information contact Sandy Osborne at 231-8642, email sandy.osborne@ndsu.edu, or visit the website (www.ndsu.edu/farmmanagement).