|
| |
Wyoming Help Sheet -- 2008 Farm Bill
Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher1:
A socially disadvantaged group is a group whose members have been subject to
racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group,
without regard to their individual qualities. These groups consist of:
- American Indians or Alaskan Natives
- Asians
- Blacks or African Americans
- Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
- Hispanics
Note: Gender alone is not a covered group for the purposes of NRCS
conservation programs.
1 A socially disadvantaged applicant
is an individual or entity who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
For an entity, at least 50 percent ownership in the farm business must be held
by socially disadvantaged individuals. One member of an eligible entity may
certify for all members rather than have each member self-certify.
Beginning Farmer or Rancher:
a. Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch
for not more than 10 consecutive years. This requirement applies to all
members of an entity,
and
b. Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the
farm or ranch.
1. In the case of a contract with an individual, individually or with
the immediate family, material and substantial participation requires
that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management
of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or
State where the farm is located.
2. In the case of a contract made with an entity, all members must
materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or
ranch. Material and substantial participation requires that the members
provide some amount of the management, or labor and management necessary
for day-to-day activities, such that if the members did not provide
these inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously
impaired.
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher2:
a. A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than
$155,200 in each of the previous two years,
and
b. Has a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a
family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median household income
(to be determined annually using Commerce Department Data), in each of the
previous two years.
2 An entity or joint operation can be
a Limited Resource Producer if all members individually qualify as a
Limited Resource Producer.
Reference web sites:
http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/SLB_Farmer/
Notation: All applicants that certify eligibility as a Socially
Disadvantaged, Beginning, or Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher will provide all
records necessary to justify their claim as requested by a CCC representative.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide accurate data. False
certifications are subject to criminal and civil fraud statutes.
For the purposes of verification, NRCS State Office shall randomly select
five (5) percent of all participants each year who have certified as being a
Beginning or Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher.
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher:
| Certification to be Verified |
Requirement |
| Gross Farm Sales Determination |
Gross Farm Sales is defined as Gross Income entered on IRS Form
1040, Schedule F, in the Farm Income Section. In each of the last two
years, determine if the participant’s direct or indirect Gross Farm
Sales were less than or equal to $155,200 per year. |
| Total Household Income Determination |
Total Household Income is defined as Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for
all members in the household and is entered on IRS Form 1040, AGI
Section. In each of the last two years, determine if the AGI is less
than the “County/Area Value.” The County/Area Value is calculated as
the higher of the National Poverty level or 50 percent of the County
Median Household Income. County/Area Median Household Income value
is taken from the county in which the participant resides. This value
can be determined by referring to the self-determination tool on the
NRCS website at:
Limited Resources
Self-Determination Tool |
| Exceptions: |
A letter from a certified public accountant or attorney certifying
the participant meets the eligibility requirements may be used in lieu
of IRS Form 1040. |
Beginning Farmer or Rancher:
| Certification to be Verified |
Requirement |
| Farm Profit or Loss |
If the participant can provide one IRS Form 1040 from the last ten
years that shows the participant did not file an IRS Form 1040, Schedule
F, the participant is eligible as a beginning farmer or rancher. |
| Exceptions: |
A letter from a certified public accountant or attorney certifying
the participant meets the eligibility requirements may be used in lieu
of IRS Form 1040. |
Failure to provide the necessary information to verify eligibility will
result in ineligibility for participation in EQIP as a Beginning or Limited
Resource Producer. If the information provided fails to support eligibility, the
Designated Conservationist will notify the State Conservationist who will take
appropriate action.
The Designated Conservationist, with concurrence from the State
Conservationist, may terminate any and all approved contracts with a participant
who has been found to falsely certify Limited Resource Producer/Rancher or
Beginning Farmer or Rancher status
July 14, 2009 Return to top Last Modified:
07/17/2009
| |
|
About Us
