USDA Suspends Debt Collection

Lost Creek Guide Page 11

USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections, Selection of First Colorado Independent

Foreclosures and Other Activities on Farm Redistricting Commissioners

Loans for Several Thousand Distressed Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions Staff The first six commissioners on the Colorado Independent Congressional and Legislative Borrowers Due to Coronavirus Redistricting Commissions will be selected in February. Congressional commissioners will be selected Monday, February 1, 2021, at 2:00 PM.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2021 — Due to the national public health emergency caused by The panel of retired judges – Hon. Daniel Taubman, Hon. Robert Hawthorne, and Hon. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Agriculture today Alan Loeb – will meet remotely to announce their selections of 50 Democratic, 50 Repubannounced the temporary suspension of past-due debt collections and foreclosures for lican, and 50 unaffiliated applicants. They will then randomly select two applicants from distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan each pool to serve on the commission. The meeting will be available to watch or listen programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). USDA will temporarily to online. Public viewing will also be available in the Old State Library (room 271) at the suspend non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or wage garnishments, and referring Colorado State Capitol Building.foreclosures to the Department of Justice; and USDA will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Legislative commissioners will be selected Friday, February 12, 2021, at 2:00 PM.Office to stop judicial foreclosures and evictions on accounts that were previously referred The panel of retired judges – Hon. Karen Ashby, Hon. Dennis Graham, and Hon. Gale to the Department of Justice. Additionally, USDA has extended deadlines for producers Miller – will meet remotely to announce their selections of 50 Democratic, 50 Republican, to respond to loan servicing actions, including loan deferral consideration for financially and 50 unaffiliated applicants. They will then randomly select two applicants from each distressed and delinquent borrowers. In addition, for the Guaranteed Loan program, pool to serve on the commission. The meeting will be available to watch or listen to online. flexibilities have been made available to lenders to assist in servicing their customers. Public viewing will also be available in the Old State Library (room 271) at the Colorado

Today’s announcement by USDA expands previous actions undertaken by the Depart- State Capitol Building.ment to lessen financial hardship. According to USDA data, more than 12,000 borrow- Both panels have approved the following procedures for their random drawings:ers—approximately 10% of all borrowers—are eligible for the relief announced today. At their meeting, the judges on the panel will identify the names of 50 Democrats, 50 Overall, FSA lends to more than 129,000 farmers, ranchers and producers. Republicans, and 50 unaffiliated applicants from which the first six commissioners will

“USDA and the Biden Administration are committed to bringing relief and support to be chosen by lot. Once directed to do so by the panel, redistricting staff will place a link farmers, ranchers and producers of all backgrounds and financial status, including by on the redistricting website to the lists of names. The names will also be displayed on the ensuring producers have access to temporary debt relief,” said Robert Bonnie, Deputy screen for those attending the meeting virtually or in person. The names on the list will be Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary. “Not only is USDA suspending the pipeline of ad- numbered 1-50 (unaffiliated), 51-100 (Democrats), and 101-150 (Republicans). Bingo balls verse actions that can lead to foreclosure and debt collection, we are also working with the with corresponding numbers will be placed in three revolving Bingo drums. Departments of Justice and Treasury to suspend any actions already referred to the appli- Each selection panel will choose commissioners by lot from the pools (unaffiliated, cable Agency. Additionally, we are evaluating ways to improve and address farm related Democratic, and Republican) in the same order the pools are listed in the state constitudebt with the intent to keep farmers on their farms earning living expenses, providing for tion. At the direction of the panel, staff will proceed as follows:emergency needs, and maintaining cash flow.” 1. Draw one ball from the unaffiliated drum—that will be the number of the first

The temporary suspension is in place until further notice and is expected to continue commissioner. while the national COVID-19 disaster declaration is in place. 2. Draw one ball from the Democratic drum—if that number is not from the same

USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides several different loans for producers, which fall Congressional district as the previously chosen individual, it will be the number of the under two main categories: second commissioner. If the drawn number represents the same Congressional district as

Guaranteed loans are made and serviced by commercial lenders, such as banks, the the previously chosen commissioner, it will be set aside and balls will continue to be drawn Farm Credit System, credit unions and other non-traditional lenders. FSA guarantees the until a candidate who represents a new Congressional district is chosen.lender’s loan against loss, up to 95 percent. 3. Draw one ball from the Republican drum—follow the procedure listed above until

Direct loans are made and serviced by FSA using funds from the federal government. a Republican commissioner is chosen who represents an unchosen Congressional district.

The most common loan types are Farm Ownership, Farm Operating, and Farm Storage 4. Continue to follow the same process, starting again with the unaffiliated drum, Facility Loans, with Microloans for each: until six commissioners are selected who represent six different Congressional districts.

Farm Ownership: Helps producers purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch, construct a The two judicial panels will also select the final six commissioners for each commission, new or improve an existing farm or ranch building, pay closing costs, and pay for soil and by March 1, 2021, for the congressional commission, and by March 16, 2021, for the legislawater conservation and protection. tive commission. For each commission, two lists of ten Democrats will be submitted by the

Farm Operating: Helps producers purchase livestock and equipment and pay for minor Majority Leaders of the State Senate and State House of Representatives. Two lists of ten real estate repairs and annual operating expenses. Republicans will be submitted by the Minority Leaders of the State Senate and State House

Farm Storage Facility Loans are made directly to producers for the construction of cold of Representatives. From each of these lists, the judges will select one commissioner. The or dry storage and includes handling equipment and mobile storage such as refrigerated judges for each commission will also select two unaffiliated commissioners from the origitrucks. nal pool of applicants.

Microloans: Direct Farm Ownership, Operating Loans, and Farm Storage Facility Each commission must include at least one member residing in each current congresLoans have a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the sional district and at least one member from the Western Slope and must, to the extent needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche-type operations. possible, reflect Colorado’s racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic diversity.

Contact FSA

FSA encourages producers to contact their county office to discuss these programs and temporary changes to farm loan deadlines and the loan servicing options available. For Service Center contact information, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus. For servicing information, access farmers.gov.

A Rather Blustery Drive

By Master Trooper Gary Cutler

As Winnie the Pooh stated. “It undoubtably looks like a rather blustery day.” As that silly old bear stated so many years ago, it still rings true. We have seen a lot of blustery days this year with some gusts reaching as high as 116 MPH. Wind can affect your travels in many ways. The one that comes to most people’s minds is how it can and often does topple big rigs pulling trailers. Even though you may not be driving a semi, you do need to be aware of them in a wind storm. If you are feeling wind gusts while driving, it could mean that a particularly strong one can hit the semi and tip it over. You need to be careful with them while following or passing them. Watch to see if you see the semi having trouble maintaining its lane. It could mean something more dangerous is in the near future. Spend as little time around them as possible in case a gust hits it while you are near.

This goes the same if you are pulling a trailer. Lighter trailers, especially empty ones are more prone to dragging the tow vehicle off the road with it when hit by a gust of wind. Also, make sure your load is secure especially in wind storms. Items that you normally wouldn’t think will blow off your trailer may indeed fly off and possible hit a vehicle or go into the roadway and cause another vehicle to crash.

Those of you who don’t pull trailers or drive semis are not off the hook. Particularly strong winds can move your car into the oncoming lane of travel. I’m sure you’ve felt your vehicle moving around and sometimes finding it hard to maintain your lane. Again, be cautious of wind storms and especially ones with strong wind gusts. If there is a report of possible strong winds, try to adjust your travel plans. Get where you’re going safely.

“Oh, Pooh, there’s more to life than just balloons and honey.”

As always, safe travels!