The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net programs that were in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Producers must enroll in ARC/PLC for the 2021 crop year through their local Farm Service Agency office. Producers can amend the program elections they made for the 2019 and 2020 crop years for the 2021 crop year.

The signup period for the 2021 crop year is open now, and the deadline to enroll and make amendments to program elections is March 15, 2021.

If changes are not made by March 15, 2021 deadline, the election defaults to the programs selected for the 2020 crop year with no penalty. Producers will have the opportunity to amend program elections again for the 2022 and 2023 crop years.

Producers again have the option to enroll covered commodities in either ARC-County, ARC-Individual, or PLC.

Program elections are made on a crop-by-crop basis unless selecting ARC-Individual where all crops under that FSA Farm Number fall under that program. ARC program payments are made when crop revenue falls below a guaranteed level, while PLC payments are made when a crops specific effective price is lower than its reference price.

These are the same program options that were available to producers during the 2019 and 2020 crop years. In some cases, producers may want to amend program election to better manage the potential risks facing their farms during the 2021 crop year.

Join Hardin County OSU Extension for an ARC/PLC Farm Bill Decision Virtual Workshop to assist with 2021 Farm Bill Decisions.

Phil Lautenschlager, CED of Hardin Farm Service Agency plans be a part of this program to help answer questions. Find out the latest ARC/PLC Farm Bill information to help your farm operation decision-making process for 2021. Different examples will be provided using the newest decision-making tools. There will be two sessions available Thursday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Register for either session of this repeated virtual event by Feb 10 at http://go.osu.edu/hardinagnr or if internet access is an issue call 419-767-6037 for possible in-person session seating at Hardin County OSU Extension office, 1021 W Lima St., Kenton.

Registration mandatory and space is limited for in- person sessions depending on COVID restrictions. No walk-ins are available.