Eligible

counties are: Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clarke, Clayton,

Fayette, Henry, Jackson, Lamar, Madison, Monroe, Oconee,

Pike, Spalding, Taylor, and Upson.

"The

U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $40 million

for the program, nationally. Georgia's share of the funds

will depend on how many farmers apply for

assistance," said Carter.

"I

encourage farmers in eligible counties to visit their

local Farm Service Agency office or nearest USDA Service

Center to find out if they are eligible to receive

payments."

To become

eligible for the PRP, counties had to qualify for both

the Livestock Assistance Program and the Emergency

Conservation Program, according to Clark Weaver, Chief of

FSA's Price Support/Conservation/Compliance Department.

"Eligible

land must be established pasture on which livestock is

normally grazed and which was so damaged or destroyed by

drought that seeding is required to reestablish the

forage crop," said Weaver.

"Only

land physically located in eligible counties qualifies

for the program."

"Hayland

is not eligible for the program, and re-seeding conducted

prior to filing an application for PRP assistance is not

eligible for payment," added Weaver. "Land may

not be hayed for a five-year period."

There will

be two payment rates for the PRP in Georgia to help cover

the cost of the seed, seeding and fertilizer: (1) $57 per

acre for PRP-1, reseeding with seedbed preparation and

(2) $46 per acre for PRP-2, reseeding without seedbed

preparation. Farmers who have a gross annual income in

excess of $2.5 million are ineligible for PRP.

Additional

information on the Pasture Recovery Program can be

foundon the Farm Service Agency's website on the Internet

at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov .