INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Julia A. Wickard, Indiana executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced that Washington County has received approval to implement the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) following tornadoes that struck in early March.

Because funding for this program is limited, applications for EFRP are being accepted at the Washington County FSA Office in Salem through April 20. EFRP is administered by the FSA and provides payments to eligible owners of non-industrial private forestland to restore land damaged by natural disaster.

In this instance, approval has been issued to assist producers in restoration of hardwood and mixed forests damaged by the tornadoes. To be eligible, the cost to remove debris or restore fences must be in excess of $1,000. For more information or to sign up, call 812-883-3006.

CHICAGO, Ill. — In April 2012, CME Group, Inc. established a $100 million Family Farmer and Rancher Protection Fund to provide further protection of customer-segregated funds for U.S. family farmers and ranchers who use CME markets to hedge their crops and livestock.

Under the terms of the Fund, farmers and ranchers using CME products will be eligible for up to $25,000 per participant in the case of losses resulting from the future insolvency of a clearing member or other market participant. Farming and ranching cooperatives also will be eligible for up to $100,000 per cooperative.

To learn more or fill out forms, visit online www.cmegroup.com/clearing/ family-farmer-fund.html

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — No injuries were reported in a fire at a Cedar Rapids corn milling company.

Fire officials say the fire broke out April 4 at Penford Products in a four-story building used for gluten drying as part of the milling process. The fire was reported by employees in another building, who spotted smoke coming from the roofline. About 20 workers were evacuated.

Officials say the fire was around a dryer, an exhaust fan and some insulation. The fire was extinguished, but fire crews remained on the scene checking for hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the deadline for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup 43 has been extended to April 13.

FSA will evaluate offers based on cost and the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI).  Accepted offers will become effective Oct. 1, 2012. Contract duration is between 10-15 years. Producers are urged to contact their local FSA service center or visit www.fsa.usda.gov for additional information.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture will hold four public information meetings to explain plans this year to treat parts of northern Illinois for the destructive gypsy moth. Each meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

The April 11 Oswego meeting will cover plans to treat 1,256 acres in Saw Wee Kee Park. It will be in the Oswegoland Park District’s South Point Center, next to Southbury Elementary School at 810 Preston Lane.

The meeting April 12 in Rockford will be in the auditorium at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Ave., and explain plans to treat a 3,501-acre site north of Interstate 39 on the city’s south side and four, smaller areas near Shirland in rural Winnebago County.

The meeting May 9 will be in the Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Drive. It will cover plans for an 8,936-acre site stretching north to south from 159th Street to Vollmer Road and east to west from Oak Park to Cicero Ave.

The Lan-Oak Park District, 2550 178th St., will host the May 16 meeting, which will feature information about treatments to 3,513 acres of mostly forest preserve.

Infested sites will be treated with applications of either BtK, a naturally-occurring bacteria, or pheromone. The BtK will be applied by helicopter in late April. A fixed-wing airplane will apply the pheromone flakes in late May. Maps of treatment sites are posted at www.agr.state.il.us