Producers who have contacted FSA over the last month or so have been unable to obtain aerial photographs to make cropland changes and complete other business changes for their farm operation due to a lockout of program software for computer software upgrades.

FSA maintained a register of changes/updates to be completed when the new computer software was available. Recently the new computer program, MIDAS, became “live” and we now have access to complete items on the register.

MIDAS is FSA’s initiative to “Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems.” The MIDAS program is part of FSA’s larger modernization initiative. FSA’s modernization program is built upon the premise of delivering a core set of integrated IT services to USDA staff and customers. These IT services are fundamental components of maintaining FSA’s accuracy and accountability in administering farm bill legislation. When full IT modernization is achieved, FSA will have a streamlined IT architecture built on re-engineered and “mature” business processes that are supported by newer, faster, more secure and more reliable Web-based technologies.

Many farm benefit programs are supported by web-based applications. With MIDAS, FSA is continuing its modernization goals of developing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that provides the ability to view and access all farm program data in a single IT platform. When this goal is reached, FSA’s IT systems life cycle costs will decrease, reporting capabilities will improve and a centralized system will exist.

MIDAS provides the following benefits:

• Improved customer service — Increased online services to farmers and ranchers by providing 24/7 access to applications and the ability to view account and profile status online

• Less redundancy of data submission — Fewer forms; information will be taken once, not multiple times for multiple programs

• Expedited program implementation — Reduced time frames between legislation passage and program implementation, providing more timely aid to affected producers

• Integrated compliance — Greater controls through system integration resulting in improved performance and more accessible and reliable reporting capabilities.

For more information on MIDAS, visit the website www.fsa.usda.gov/midas or contact the MIDAS office at 202-720-3833. Follow FSA on Twitter at @usdafsa to receive more updates on MIDAS.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.