Program Plan
Department of Agriculture - FSA Agricultural Disaster Assistance Transition (2008 Transition Assistance) Recovery Plan
Updated 05/15/2009
Objectives
Program Purpose
The Agricultural Disaster Assistance allows producers to become eligible for 3 distinct disaster assistance programs who did not previously obtain statutorily required insurance coverage for crop year 2008. The Recovery Act provides an additional opportunity for producers who suffered natural disaster losses, to become eligible for Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE), Tree Assistance Program (TAP) benefits, and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, & Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP)
Public Benefits
Provides an opportunity for producers to pay a buy-in fee and become eligible for 2008 disaster assistance through a closing date of May 18 2009. The time period allows producers to become eligible for 2008 assistance under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm Raised Fish, and the Tree Assistance Program.
Measures
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets. In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
| Measure | Target/Actual |
|---|
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|
[-]
Number of producers receiving assistance | 0/0 | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Monthly | | Direction : Increasing | | Type : Output | | Explanation : Number of producers eligible for SURE as a result of the extended buy-in period from February 17, 2009 through May 18, 2009. Producers are required to complete buy-in forms; FSA-752 for insurable crops (BUY-IN 2), and FSA-753 for non-insurable crops (BUY-IN 2) to be eligible for 2008 SURE. The number of buy-in forms received by the county office during the extended period will be recorded at the county level and reported to National Office through State Offices. The buy-in collection fees are also being tracked by collection program codes | | Unit : # |
|
[-]
Amount of assistance provided to agricultural producers | 0/0 | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Monthly | | Direction : Increasing | | Type : Output | | Explanation : The amount of assistance paid from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund to the 2008 SURE Buy-In 2 participants will be captured by a special program accounting code. This data will not be available until June 2010. | | Unit : $ |
|
Schedule and Milestones
1. Development of Program Policy and Procedure
2. Software Development
3. Conduct Program Buy-in
4. Process Payment Applications
http://www.usda.gov/recovery
Milestones
| Milestone |
Completion Date |
Development of Program Policy and Procedure – This phase consists of developing program policy and procedure, including compliance with the Recovery Act accountability and transparency requirements.
Completed milestones include:
• Develop a matrix of outstanding program issues,
• Announce the extended deadline for accepting “buy in” waivers to become eligible,
• Provide instruction to State and County offices for accepting the additional “buy in” fees,
• Ensure compliance with Recovery Act requirements.
Planned milestones include:
• Resolve outstanding program issues,
• Publish regulations of program,
• Develop handbook procedure regarding additional eligibility issues and policy for revised guarantee calculations.
|
06/01/2009 |
Software Development – This phase consists of the following planned milestones:
• Develop automated buy in process for subsequent buy in provision,
• Develop requirement for RMA data download,
• Develop crop tables for program implementation,
• Develop yield software for calculating adjusted approved yield,
• Develop application software process,
• Develop payment software process.
The second phase is split into one sub-function and two major functions; application software and payment software. The sub-function is the software for accepting fees under the buy in and is estimated to be complete by May 1, 2009. The first major function which is the actual application process is estimated to be complete January 2010. The second major function is payment software and it is estimated to be completed on or around June 2010. Note: The agency is in the process of expediting activities and resources associated to these functions in an attempt to accelerate completion dates.
|
06/01/2010 |
Conduct Program Buy-in – This phase consists of the following planned milestones:
• Receive data downloads from RMA for the calculation of guarantees for insurable crops and internal data for NAP crops,
• Announce buy-in dates for accepting applications,
• Begin buy-in. In or around January 2010.
Process Payment Applications – This phase will consist of the following planned milestone: Run payment processes based on completed and approve applications.
|
06/01/2010 |
Projects and Activities
The Agriculture Disaster Relief program is an entitlement program funded by the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund and no additional appropriations were authorized under the ARRA. However, the 2008 Transition Assistance under the ARRA extends the program to eligible producers and increases the amount of assistance available.
Review Process
FSA has established a implementation project which brings together a number of best practices to deliver results. Martin Lowenfish has been appointed as the Project Director with overall responsibility for expediting all aspects of implementing the program. Mr. Lowenfish is leading a formally governed project to coordinate the many interrelated activities needed to accomplish this task. FSA has assembled several functional areas that are essential for delivering the program into a chartered project team. The team ensures that there is a means for all involved to bring their experience to bear on delivering the program. FSA is implementing formal project management, including the use of tools such as the Microsoft Project, so that the many complicated tasks involved in implementing the program can be completed with increased reliability and speed. This involves the coordination of activities from developing regulations to testing software. Program requirements are being developed in accordance with the System Development Life Cycle standard to ensure quality and timely software delivery.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/recovery
Cost and Performance Plan
Dennis Taitano serves as the Farm Service Agency’s executive accountable for ensuring proper implementation of ARRA. FSA has established its own public-facing website which will report additional information on the Agency’s success in ARRA-related matters. http://www.fsa.usda.gov/recovery
Agency managers are responsible for implementing, improving, and monitoring program activities. Individual performance plans of all managers and employees are tied to the Agency mission and goals contained in the FSA Strategic Plan. FSA Notice PM-2606, "FSA Performance Management Program," contains detailed guidance on development of employee performance plans, including the requirement that performance be linked to the Agency's strategic goals and objectives.
FSA will issue Direct Payments with unrestricted use to any farmer, rancher, or agricultural producer within the general public who satisfies eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on how the money is spent. Therefore, recipients are not required to complete and submit a Quarterly Recipient Performance Report to FSA.
Energy Efficiency Spending Plans
Not applicable to this program plan
Program Plan Award Types
No Data Available