Update 2012-13 # 4

NACS HAS NEW WEB SITE - www.nacs-fsa.org

The new NACS web site has gone live! Due to the issues with the former site it was necessary to build a new site. The old site has been turned off. Key differences between this site and the old site:

1. No login or sign-up is necessary.
2. Email sign-up is done by clicking the link above right via Constant Contact.
3. Membership lists are not maintained at the site. The treasurer and zone reps will be maintaining these.
4. Bookmark this new site and new address - www.nacs-fsa.org.
5. Check out the enhanced "Calendar" section under the "Events" link. Upcoming meetings and deadlines are listed there.
6. Find your state association contact info from the "Contact Us" link. As state info is obtained, it will be added to the map.
7. Enter a search phrase in the box in the upper right to search for an item.

Additional information will be posted as reconstruction continues. All current activities are live and functional.

I want to give special thanks to Mark Drewitz for all his work on building the new site! If you have any comments or suggestions on the new site, please contact Mark. Also if a State would like their web site linked to the NACS site, contact Mark .

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON DC

Legislative committee members John Gehrke, Ben Herink and Brandon Waldron traveled to Washington DC Dec 10th and 11th to work with Andy Quinn, Legislative Consultant.

• Met with the House and Senate Ag committee staffers as well as members of the House and Senate Ag Committees
• During these meetings, they discussed:
  • Status of the Farm Bill
  • Specific provisions of the Credit Title of the Farm Bill
  • Differences between the House and Senate Credit title provisions
  • They also educated new committee staffers on NACS and Farm Loan Delivery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact John, Ben or Brandon.

QUARTERLY FARM LOAN CHIEFS CALL

I represented NACS on the Quarterly Chiefs call November 19, 2012. Highlights of the call were:

• Farm Storage Facility Loans will be moving to the FLP IT systems, but will still be delivered by Farm Programs
• ASP - administrative convergence -
  • looking at Center of Excellence where agencies do the same thing, looking at FLOO in FSA and RD
  • County offices should not see any changes, same people will be there
  • Chris Beyerhelm has had input on this
  • Chris urged everyone that they are still looking for milestone #'s, like 100th beginning farmer loan, first microloan, or other good stories to tell about FLP
  • Keepseagle
    • 305 borrowers will be provided debt forgiveness of the 4000 claims (less than 10%)
    • Pigford II is closed 40,000 claims, 162 debt relief requested
    • Women and Hispanic closes March 25th
    • CDAT officially wrapped up November 16th after 13 years
    • Funding
      • 6 month continuing resolution, so provided Operating funds what we used last year, looking good so far
      • Guar FO is used up, even though it is a 0 subsidy program, need to stay within Appropriated levels, working with OMB to fix this in FY 2014
      • Type 60 funds were provided to states with the focus on appraisals
      • Microloans are on track to be released in January 2013
      • Streamlined Loans will also be released in January 2013, this should help reduce paper work for customers and FSA Staff
      • Still looking for 1st Land contract guarantee
      • Still waiting on the changes to Loan Servicing and not sure when will be out

NACS BOARD UPDATES

• I have requested National Office to allow the NACS board to travel to Washington DC for face to face meetings. At this time, no decision is being made until final budget talks are completed
• I have been in contact with NO about a variety of issues, but there are few answers until the final budget negotiations, no plans for buyouts, early outs, etc until we have a better idea on Budget.
• The FLP and IT committees will be holding Video Conferences with the National office to go over the resolutions next week

ZONE MEETINGS

• Registration for the Zone Meetings are posted to the new NACS web site
• All NACS members will be allowed 6 hours admin leave to attend the Zone meetings and each state President will be allowed 8 hours of official time
• Each state will receive $300 to help with the costs of attending the Zone meetings for the State president or how the state chooses to use it
• Chris Beyerhelm ( or Jim Radintz) will attend each Zone Meeting. Chis plans to be around on Thursday night and stay for most of the day on Friday to answer attendees questions/concerns
• Depending on Budget, other National office staff will attend or speak to us via Video teleconferencing
• If you have any questions about the Zone meetings, feel free to contact a NACS Board Member
• Please consider attending!

CONGRATULATIONS TO FLP STAFF WHO RECEIVED 2012 ADMINISTRATOR AWARDS FOR SERVICE TO AGRICULTURE!

Civil Rights Leadership Award

Texas FSA HWFRCP Webinar Outreach Team - John C. Cowan FLS
Stephen Fruth , FLO Ohio

Management Excellence Award
Leah M. Petersen, FLO Maryland

Excellence in Achieving Goals and Objectives Award

Oneida County NY Farm Loan Team - Linda Whiteman FLM
Crawford County KS Farm Loan Program Office - Robert E White FLM, Jason R Love FLO
Kentucky Farm Loan Division - Mitchell W Whittle, Debra V Hunt, John D. Bowles

Outstanding Accomplishment in Outreach Award

Daniel Whetham SD
Debra W Houston NC

President's Volunteer Service Award and Call to Service Award

Call to Service/Lifetime Award - Ross W. James FLM TX, Jon Mills FLM OR

Gold Award - Tracy Hidde FLO NY

Silver Award - Teri Johnson FLO OK

Bronze Award - Tanya Dostal FLS WA, Oscar G Rivera DD NM

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE OUTSTANDING TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENT AWARD

Microloan Team, - Mark Moser FLM NE, Edward "Ed" Hall FLS NC, Marla Koerner SLFO OH, Ray Ellenberger FLP Chief WI, Aaron Johnson FLP Chief, ID



Mark, Ed and Marla represented NACS on this team along with being members of the Farm Loan Committee when the Microloan development began!



I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and as always, if you have any concern/ideas for NACS, please contact me,



Maureen Mausbach

NACS President