Small Scale Farm Initiative 2007-Archive

This project will provide funding and outreach assistance to Limited Resource Small Scale Farmers who play an important role in conserving our natural resources through traditional and non-traditional conservation methods and who do not meet the criteria for Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher status.

A Limited Resource Small Scale Farmer is classified within the underserved participants as defined in the USDA-NRCS Outreach Program and within the eligibility criteria described below.

Goal: To increase participation in USDA voluntary conservation programs through a special initiative designed to address the farming operations of this group of producers.

Eligibility Criteria

1. The farm operation shall be no larger than 200 acres and constitute no more than 100 acres combined of open land in pasture and cropland. The State Conservationist or his designee may grant waivers to the 200 acre limitation. Request for Waivers will be submitted by the District Conservationist via email with a justification statement to the State Conservationist or his designee. Participants should be informed, if a waiver is granted this does not guarantee contract approval.
2. Ten percent of the cropland acres must consist of alternative crops or production methods.
3. Applicant earnings farm and off farm combined must not exceed an adjusted gross income of $60,000.

Cost-Share Rates

Cost-share rates are set at 75 percent for average cost (AC) type and 100 percent for FR cost type practices. Contracts may not exceed $12,000 unless a waiver is granted by the state conservationist or his designee.

Eligible Resource Concerns and Practices

All resource concerns used in the EQIP County Programs and all practices listed in the EQIP State Practice and Restriction lists are eligible for cost-share, plus three additional conservation practices (see fact sheets under "Additional Information"):

1. Micro-irrigation – Plastic Mulch Cropping System
2. Pastured Poultry
3. Woodland Grazing for Small Ruminants

All eligible applications will be ranked using ranking criteria developed and approved at the state level.

Additional Information

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.

State Practices and Restrictions (archive only) (121 KB)
Pastured Poultry In Alabama Fact Sheet (325 KB)
Plastic Mulch and Drip Irrigation (Plasticulture) (205 KB)
Woodland Grazing for Small Ruminants (104 KB)

Success Stories

• Small Farmer Initiative at Work in Morgan County (5-07)
• Covington County Provides Program Information to Limited Resource Producers
• Alabama Uses Technical Service Provider (TSP) to Assist with Installation of Plasticulture System
   

Program Contact

Alice Love, Farm Bill Specialist, USDA-NRCS, P.O. Box 311, Auburn, Alabama 36830, e-mail:  alice.love@al.usda.gov, phone:  334-887-4550

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