Tobacco farmers hit hard by falling prices, cut quotas and increasing expenses will soon begin receiving a windfall of sorts from several sources.
Farmers who received Phase II funds from the tobacco settlement should receive by Friday a "Vertification" form that needs to be filled out and mailed by June 14, said Extension Agent Larry McPeters.
The form, a verification of figures farmers have already filed for the Phase II portion of the settlement, will be used to determine payouts from Phase I, he said.
"A new law firm is handling Phase I," said McPeters. To receive these funds, farmers must return the vertification form.
The firm has mailed out 47,500 forms to Virginia farmers this week. Information on these forms will be used to distribute the estimated $49.6 million in Phase I funds.
Both producers and quotaholders who received the Phase II funds, will be eligible for approximately 33 cents per pound out of these funds, he said.
"Farmers must fill out this vertification and the forms must be received by Mays and Valentine to be eligible for funds.
The law firm has set up a toll-free number for farmers with questions.
For more information farmers can call 1-888-629-7682.
"Those who received Phase II funds and have not received a form by Friday," McPeters urged, "should call the toll-free number to get one mailed."
If all the information on the form is correct, all a farmer or quotaholder has to do is sign the front, turn it over and sign the back, he said.
The back of the form is important, he continued.
It contains Internal Revenue Service information and if not confirmed and signed, payment will be delayed.
To help with the form, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 at Halifax County High School.
There will be about a two-hour meeting, with time before and after for one-on-one help from the firm's lawyers, he said.
The meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m.
These forms are important, he stressed. They must be returned if producers expect to receive any Phase I funds.
Although the largest, Phase I funds are just part of several sources of relief funds tobacco farmers should be receiving soon.
Expected in June are payments from last year's farm relief package that included about $320 million in funds.
Producers and quotaholders should expect about eight cents per pound from this source.
And if this year's proposed relief package is signed, another $340 million in tobacco relief will be available to producers.
Those funds are being distributed through the Tobacco Loss Assessment Program, McPeters said.
And although these funds will help alleviate some of the losses sustained by tobacco farmers over the last several years, it still may not be enough to offset this year's crop expenses that are already beginning to add up.
McPeters said due to wet weather, then dry windy weather and then more wet weather, some farmers have had to plant three times.
Each planting is an expense, he said. Add to that farmers already irrigating during the dry spell and you have a financial hit, plus the beginning drain on pond supplies.
Water is always a blessing, he said, but combined with the cool temperatures there is always the risk of blue mold.
With that in mind, McPeters urges producers to destroy plantbeds and greenhouse plants as soon as possible to avoid the beginnings of the disease.
"We already have it to the south. We don't need it here," he said.
"This is blue mold weather."
But beyond the blue mold threat, McPeters said, "This has been a really great rain. I have had producers call that have received over four inches of rain over a five-to-six day span."
It has delayed soybean and corn plantings and it has caused some cut hay to rot, but overall it is a "good rain."

Eleven years ago Wyatt Barczak was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to one year to live if he did not have his leg amputated.
The 17-year-old Halifax youth said no to amputation.
Battling the cancer, he would be the 76th patient in the world with soft cell tumors to undergo neutron beam treatment in Seattle.
The neutron treatment was merely one among many along Barczak's stormy medical road, making it easy to understand, perhaps, that when a violent wind tossed tree limbs airborne and a blur of rain engulfed their car en route to Duke last week, Barczak's mother silently worried that it was a bad omen.
Ultimately, the day would be packed with omens, with South Boston native Jeff Burton leading the way.
When the doors opened in the "absolutely gorgeous" new Children's Hospital at Duke and Barczak and his mother, Joanna Chaffin, stepped out of the elevator, the first thing they saw was a sign, "Jeff Burton Raceway," in recognition of the NASCAR driver's contributions to the hospital.
The two Halifax County natives smiled.
"I didn't know that Jeff had a part in raising money for the new hospital," Chaffin said. "It made me proud of Halifax County. We were impressed and we really appreciated his efforts."
In the past, Barczak's destination was the old Children's Hospital, located in a basement of Duke South. "It was overcrowded, no windows, a dungeon," recalled Chaffin.
A friend of Burton's mother, Chaffin learned later the same evening that Jeff and his wife Kim had helped raise money for the hospital.
Jeff Burton was also a good omen for Barczak.
"He got the best report he has ever gotten," Chaffin said.
The 28-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University graduate had multi-doses of good news that day.
He is now part of a 500-patient cancer study at Duke. And, when he got home, he received a message offering him a job that he wanted.
Ending his "good omen" day, Barczak received a clean bill of health at Duke Medical Center.
"Go, enjoy your life," were his doctor's parting words.

It was a safe Memorial holiday weekend for motorists in the southside region of Virginia as no fatalites occurred during the weekend, according to a spokesman with the Virginia State Police.
Also, there were no injury-related accidents in Halifax County.
However, in the state, there were 11 fatalities over the weekend with 10 of the 11 reported as not wearing seatbelts, according to the state police in Richmond.
The fatalities rose the total for the year 2000 to 311 in the state, as of May 30, compared to 309 at this time in 1999.
· Allen Sandy Graham, 53, of Roxboro, N.C., was charged with reckless driving Saturday night after crashing into a guardrail on Route 501.
Graham was driving a 1997 Dodge truck that hydroplaned and ran through the median before striking a guardrail on the northbound side, according to Trooper C.M. Fleming.
Fleming said the 10:15 p.m. accident occurred one mile south of Route 96, which caused an estimated $1,000 in damages.

Judge J. Howe Brown Jr. has been named to hear the $27-million lawsuit filed by Halifax County farmer Leo Hinson against Southside Concerned Citizens Chairman S.J. "Jack" Dunavant.
The retired 19th Judicial Circuit Court judge was named to hear the case by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Judge Brown's designation was forwarded to Halifax Courthouse officials yesterday.
Defense attorney David Bailey and plaintiff's attorney, Gerald Zerkin, will now meet with the judge to set a trial date.
Hinson's suit against Dunavant alleges that he unlawfully forwarded documentation of prospective hog farmer Leo Hinson's criminal record to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
The lawsuit alleges that Dunavant, through a law enforcement officer, forwarded the information to the board prior to its meeting on August 30, 1999.
During that meeting, the Board voted on setbacks to be applied to confined livestock facilities in Halifax County.
The lawsuit alleges that Dunavant's actions effectively prevented Hinson from operating a confined animal feeding operation in the county.
The action caused Hinson "economic injury in the amount of $9 million," according to the lawsuit.
The first count contained in the suit alleges that Dunavant "intentionally, willfully and maliciously conspired with aforesaid law officer for the jointly held purpose of injuring the plaintiff in his trade, business or profession."
The second count alleges that "by giving a copy of the plaintiff's criminal record to members of the board, the defendant disseminated the plaintiff's criminal history and record information in violation" of sections of the Code of Virginia.
"As a direct and proximate result of the defendant's actions, the plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer lost income and other economic injury, embarrassment and emotional distress," alleges the lawsuit.
Hinson had entered into an agreement with Carroll's Foods to operate a hog operation at his Halifax County farm. The operation, with approximately 11,500 hogs, would have been the largest of its kind in the county,
Hinson submitted a Local Government Ordinance Form to Halifax County officials for an agricultural land use permit to build 12 feeding houses on his farm.
The Department of Environmental Quality had already approved his plan, but the plan had not been signed by the Halifax board because a moratorium was in place.

BY JOE CHANDLER
SALEM..Halifax County found the magic bats. And, they found them just in the nick of time.
Trailing by two runs, the Comets' Todd Meadows delivered a bases loaded single with no out to score a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to give the Comets their first lead of the game at 5-4 and the win.
"Coach (Davis) told us that if we got one strike on us to swing at the ball and hit it hard," Meadows said.
"I just tried to swing as hard as I could and got lucky."
Davis said his team was lucky.
"We were very fortunate to come back and win a game like this," Davis said.
"My hat goes to the Cave Spring team. They've got a crackerjack team."
The win here last night vaults the Comets into the Northwest Region Tournament semifinals. They will travel to Charlottesville today where they will face Albemarle for what will be the fifth time this season.
"This is what we wanted," Davis stated.
"We wanted another shot at Albemarle and now we've got it."
Meadows' hit was the crowning blow to a three run rally that started when Matt Hastings, Geoff Moore, and Mike Priest walked in succession Brian Medley then walked to force in Hastings to cut a two run 4-2 Cave Spring lead to one run at 4-3.
That brought Meadows to the plate and he delivered a single that plated Hastings and Moore and put his team up 5-4.
The Comets, who had left runners on the bases every inning did so again. But, this time, the Comets were able to afford it.
Cave Spring mounted a rally in the bottom of the final inning with a two out double down the right field line. But, they left runners at second base and third base to end the
This was the fourth time this season that the Comets have produced a miracle rally in the final inning to produce a win, the first three coming down the stretch in the final games of the regular season.
Halifax County failed to come up with the magic last Friday night in the championship game of the Western District Tournament but they made up for it in this game.
Cave Spring took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Ron Michens walked and Shawn Potter came up with a hit that moved Michens to third base. A sacrifice fly by Ryan Vandelinde scored Michens to give the Knights their first run of the contest.
The Knights pushed their edge to three runs with a two run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning that started with Michens breaching base on an error by Comets shortstop R.D. Cole.
Potter fouled out to catcher Adam Conner for the first out and Vandelinde grounded out for the second out of the inning. A single by Fielding Fitzpatrick plated Michens to give the Knights a 2-0 lead.
Kevin Griffin walked and loaded the bases. That proved to be the curtain call for Comets hurler Scott Adams as Davis brought in Todd Meadows.
Meadows walked Eric Jones to force in a run that gave Cave Spring a 3-0 lead. Grey Alphin flied out to right field to end the inning.
The Comets clawed their way back into the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Mike Priest started the inning with a walk. Medley flied out to right field for the first out. Meadows walked and Cole struck out for the second out of the inning. Designated hitter Jonathan Wallace walked to lead the bases.
With Milam at the plate, Priest scored on a passed ball to give the Comets their first run and make it a 3-1 game. Milam came up with an infield hit and scored Meadows to make it a one run game. The inning ended when Conner flied out to right field.
Cave Spring expanded its cushion back to two runs in the top of the seventh inning when shortstop Tom Hagan parked his sixth homer of the year out of the park to put the Knights up 4-2.
Halifax County had opportunities on the table and had base runners on the sacks in every inning but could never get the key hit or key break when they needed it.
The Comets got leadoff batter Matt Hastings on the sacks with a walk to start the game. Nick Thompson bunted and moved Hastings to second base. Hastings stole third base but got picked off, clearing the base paths.
Medley started the second inning for the Comets by reaching base on an error. He stole second base but was left stranded as the next three batters, Meadows, Cole and Wallace were retired in order.

In the top of the third inning, Conner walked with one out and Hastings walked, giving the Comets runners at first base and second base. But, again, the Comets left the runners stranded with the final out being called on a batter interference call against Priest.
Priest started the top of the fourth inning for the Comets with a walk but was picked off at second base. But, Medley walked and Meadows walked to get two runners on base for the Comets.
However, the rally ended when Cole and Wallace both struck out to end the inning.
The Comets had one runner on the sacks in the fifth inning, that in the form of Hastings who walked with one out. But, again, the Comets were unable to push a run across.

Kermit Edward Driggs, age 89, of Chase City, died May 26, 2000.
Mr. Driggs was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and retired from Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative.
Survivors include one son, William E. "Billy" Driggs of Chase City; one sister, Irma Hoyle of Chase City; and one brother, Carson Driggs of Towson, Md. He was preceded in death by his wives, Eura Mae Driggs and Annie Mae Driggs; one brother, Benton Driggs; and one sister, Iva Bugg.
Funeral services for Mr. Driggs were held May 28 at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Clay officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Chase City Rescue Squad.

Willie Marian Hooker Chappell, age 56, of 718 Lincoln Drive, South Boston, died May 28, 2000, at Mariah Parham Hospital in Henderson, N.C.
Mrs. Chappell was born in Sanford, N.C. on December 2, 1943, the daughter of Chester A. Hooker and Patricia Bagley Hooker. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Kim Yvette Chappell of South Boston and Karen Leatrice Clark of Raleigh, N.C.; one son, Kevin Lamont Chappell of the home; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Daisy Vaughan and Victoria Jackson, both of South Boston; two brothers, Alton Hooker of South Boston and Sylvester Hooker of Cleveland, Ohio; and a devoted friend, Earl Thomas Murphy of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Chappell will be held June 2 at 2 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Terry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Sharon U. Riddelle, age 64, of Vancouver, Wash., died May 18, 2000, in Vancouver.
Mrs. Riddelle was born January 13, 1936, in Sioux Falls, S.C., the daughter of Arwin Ulrich and Helen Ulrich and was married to James P. Riddelle. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Vancouver.
Survivors include one daughter, Katheryn Riddelle-Spencer of San Diego, Calif.; two sons, Jeffrey Riddelle of Richland, Wash. and Michael Riddelle of Reading, Penn.; her mother of LaGrange, Ind.; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial services for Mrs. Riddelle will be held June 3 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Japanese Garden Society, PO Box 3847, Portland, Or. 97208.