Apple growers eligible for federal assistance

BANGOR – The final rule for the Apple Market Loss Assistance Payment Program has been published in the Federal Register and the application deadline is Sept. 26, according to Farm Service Agency Director, William Moirs.

“Once the deadline closes, we will upload the application information to the national office where it will be compiled to determine the payment rate per pound,” Moirs said. “Producers should start receiving their payments sometime in October.”

AMLAP-II will provide about $75 million to eligible growers for their 2000 crop apple production. The payments will help offset economic losses due to low prices in the U.S. apple market. Growers can receive payments on a maximum of five million pounds per separate apple operation.

Producers eligible for AMLAP-II must have produced and harvested apples during the 2000 crop year and not have received compensation from any other federal program, other than crop insurance, for the same market loss. For information, contact the Penobscot County FSA office at 947-3555 or the FSA Web site at www.fsa.usda.gov.