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Hay Relief Program Begins

From staff reports

The Scott County Extension Office is releasing the full details of a hay relief program that has received funding from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.

Scott County Extension Agent Scott Jerrell reports that local farmers are encouraged to apply for the cost share reimbursement program that officially began Monday.

As a result of the hay shortages caused by the 2007 drought, the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission has allocated $500,000 to livestock producers in Scott County and other Southwest Virginia counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe.

The cost share program uses money allocated by the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission plus any funds that are contributed by local governments or private industry.

Southwest Virginia Agricultural Association, a 501(c)3 organization, will administer the program.

Producers will be responsible for buying hay at their expense and they will be reimbursed when receipts are submitted. They to make sure all receipts contain the date of transaction; the name, address and phone number of vendor and buyer; the number of bales purchased and dimensions and the total weight must be certified.

The maximum quantity qualifies for cost share is 25 tons. Jerrell added that the amount of hay purchased must be in line with owned livestock requirement.

Persons/families with more than one operation will qualify for cost-share only once. Only one person per operation will be eligible.

The cost-share rate per ton is a maximum of $35, not to exceed 50 percent of the cost. The maximum cost-share received by any producer will not exceed $875.

Jerrell explainted that producers requesting payment must provide a valid FSA Farm Number or copy of a written lease.

Cost share will be paid based upon the total amount (weight) of hay purchased and freight. Hay dealers or farmers selling hay are not be eligible for the program.

Receipts dated Dec. 1, 2007 and thereafter are eligible for reimbursement. The Hay Relief Program will continue until forage growth is adequate to sustain animals.

Jerrell said that producers can receive listings for possible sources of hay from the Scott County Cooperative Extension Office by calling 452-2772.

He added that to accommodate producers, receipts for hay purchases can be delivered to the Scott County office. Extension staff is happy to assist producers as they fill out the documentation required for payment.

The Scott County Extension Office, Jerrell said, will forward receipts in a timely manner to the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Association for reimbursement.

Use allocated funds are provided to assist producers who are in "need." Producers receiving cost-share will receive a 1099 Form to include with their 2008 Income Tax Returns.

Animal operations that are not forage based do not qualify (for example poultry and swine). Operations operating strictly as a dealer are not eligible. Only producers in the Virginia counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe are eligible.

For more information, contact Jerrell at the Scott County Extension Office at 452-2772.

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