Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made changes to Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) qualifications, program payment limitations, and direct attribution for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Conservation Service (NRCS) programs authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

USDA has modified the definition of “actively engaged in farming” with regard to eligibility for agriculture assistance programs.  To be “actively engaged in farming,” an individual or entity must make and provide material proof of significant contributions to the farming operation of: (1) capital, equipment, land, or a combination; and (2) personal labor or active personal management, or a combination.  Congressman McHenry and several of his colleagues recently sent a letter to the USDA expressing concern for the impact these changes might have on family- and community-run operations that include many members who may all file for federal aid separately.

For commodity and disaster programs, the AGI limitation was reduced from $2.6 million AGI from all sources to a three-year average non-farm AGI of $500,000. 

As mandated, the USDA will accept public comments on these changes as well as the redefinition of “actively engaged” until January 28, 2009.  Comments may be submitted by email to Salomon.Ramirez@wdc.usda.gov or by mail to:

Salomon Ramirez
Director, PECD, FSA
USDA Stop 0517, Room 4752
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

The enrollment for the 2009 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) Program has begun and will continue until June 1, 2009.  Producers can apply online at http://www.fas.usda.gov/dcp or by calling their local USDA Service Center listed below. 

The enrollment for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program has begun and will continue through the program’s expiration date, September 30, 2012.  Producers can apply by contacting their local Farm Service Agency office listed below.

For further information on all changes, producers can contact their local USDA Service Centers.

Avery County:
FSA Farm Loan Office for Appraiser
140 Cranberry Street
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-7010

USDA Spruce Pine Service Center
11943 S. 226 Highway
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-0889 ext 2

Burke & Caldwell Counties:
Burke County Farm Service Agency & USDA Morganton Service Center
130 Ammons Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 439-9727 ext 2

Catawba County:
Catawba County Farm Service Agency & USDA Newton Service Center
1175 S. Brady Avenue
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-1382 ext 2

Cleveland County:
Cleveland County Farm Service Agency & USDA Shelby Service Center
844 Wallace Grove Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 471-0235 ext 2

Gaston & Lincoln Counties:
Gaston County Farm Service Agency & USDA Dallas Service Center
1303 Dallas Cherryville Highway
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3806

Iredell County:
Iredell County Farm Service Agency & USDA Statesville Service Center
444 Bristol Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
FSA: (704) 872-5061
USDA: (704) 873-7242 ext 2

Mitchell County:
Mitchell County Farm Service Agency & USDA Spruce Pine Service Center
11943 S. 226 Highway
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
FSA: (828) 765-5049 ext 2
USDA: (828) 765-0889 ext 2

Rutherford County:
Rutherford County Farm Service Agency & USDA Rutherfordton Service Center
121 Laurel Drive
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-4220

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