Deadlines are fast approaching for farmers impacted by increased input costs and natural disasters to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency safety net and disaster assistance programs. Aug. 7 is the deadline to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, with Aug. 12 the deadline to apply for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Additionally, eligible landowners have until the end of August to review and consider base acre increases for the first time since 2002 for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. “Whether it’s disaster assistance, support for specialty crop growers or the first chance in more than two decades to update base acres, I encourage producers not to wait until the last minute,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “These deadlines represent real opportunities for producers to recover from market and weather challenges. Reach out to your local FSA office now and make sure y...