Now that we are in December, thoughts and reminders of the holidays are everywhere. It is also a time that many producers will meet their tax professional.

These meetings are beneficial in estimating tax liability for the 2005 calendar year. Sometimes business decisions can be made that will change tax implications, depending on different scenarios.

For many producers who have a current program application pending, they want to know if it will be processed this calendar year. The answer is yes, if all required information has been provided.

In some cases, we are waiting for a crop insurance production report or an eligibility form has not been completed. In these cases, it is the producer's responsibility to meet these requirements. It may be best for those with questions to call and inquire on the status of the pending application.

For the most part, a backlog exists in two programs: Loan Deficiency Payments and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. After inquiring on their status, affected producers can proceed with their year-end planning.

In other news, Monday was the final day to vote in the Farm Service Agency election for county committee members in northern Butler County, southern Beaver and Allegheny counties. All ballots that were postmarked Monday, even if actually received on that day, will be counted. The election will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center on Route 68, west of Butler.

The USDA's National Finance Center reopened its doors in eastern New Orleans this month to more than 300 returning staff. For many, this was the first time to see many of their colleagues since Aug. 27, before the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina.

Full reconstitution in that city is dependent upon stabilization of its information technology infrastructure and the ability to find alternative housing for 462 employees whose homes are uninhabitable because of Katrina.

NFC provides payroll and personnel services supporting more than 565,000 federal employees, disbursing more than $50 billion annually. It also maintains records of federal health benefits and retirement accounts for more than 3 million federal employees.

NFC relocated its employees to six alternative work sites before Katrina hit. Within three days, the staff successfully executed its disaster recovery and continuity of operations plans, resuming essential services for its customers.