LEWISTON/PARIS — USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

“Similar to previous programs that we’ve administered, planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on base acres on a farm can result in a payment reduction for program participants,” said CED Marcia Hall, FSA’s county executive director for Androscoggin, Sagadahoc and Oxford counties.

Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs are subject to an acre-for-acre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm.

Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction.

For additional information on fruit, vegetable and wild rice rules, visit www.fsa.usda.gov or contact the local USDA Service Center at 753-9400, ext. 2, Lewiston, or 743-5789, Oxford.