Instructions for NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application

Field Name

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Applicant (Decision Maker)

Enter the name of the decision maker who is authorized to make decisions pertaining to the application.

Application Date

Enter the date of application submission.

Address/Email

Enter mailing address and email address for communication with the decision maker.

Location where assistance is requested

Enter the County and State of assistance request.

Telephone

Enter the telephone number where decision maker may be contacted.

To receive text message(s)

Enter a primary and/or secondary mobile number if you would like to receive text messages. This is optional.

Assistance Requested

Describe the type of assistance being requested. Provide details of what you seek to accomplish through this application.

Question 1

Mark “yes” if you have records established with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). If answering “no,” NRCS will assist you with determining which records must be established to continue processing your application.

Note: Additional applicants listed in question 3 will also need records with FSA for NRCS to

determine eligibility.

Question 2

Select the programs you are applying to participate in. It may be necessary to sign a new application if you decide to change your program selection(s).

Question 2a (optional)

Enter the program enrollment types you are applying to participate in.

For RCPP, activity type includes: Land Management, Rental, US-Held Easements. The RCPP project name may be entered if known.

Note: This form must not be used for the following programs: ACEP-ALE or RCPP Entity Held Easements, Supplemental Agreements, or Watershed Activities. To apply for one of these programs, follow this link or contact NRCS for additional information.

Question 3

Provide the legal identity of each party seeking participation through this application. Indicate whether each applicant is an individual or a legal entity and enter the legal name and last four

digits of the tax identification number. If applying for an easement program, all landowners of record must be listed in Question 3.

Question 3a

If the applicant is a legal entity or joint operation, appropriate signature authority must be available for parties representing the legal entity or joint operation.

Question 3b (optional)

If applicable, mark the appropriate boxes for each applicant meeting one or more of the

historically underserved categories defined below. Applicants that mark Veteran Farmer or Rancher must also provide the date of discharge.

Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher – The term “Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher” means a participant:

• With direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than the current indexed value in each of the previous two years, and

• Who has a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of the county’s median household income in each of the previous two years.

  A legal entity or joint operation can be a Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher only if all individual members independently qualify. A Self-Determination Tool is available to the public and may be completed on-line or printed and completed hardcopy at: https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/

  Beginning Farmer or Rancher – The term “Beginning Farmer or Rancher” means a participant who:

  • 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 a legal entity, and

  • Who will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.

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

Field Name

Instruction

and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located.

In the case of a contract made with a legal 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.

Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher – The term “Socially Disadvantaged” means 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. 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 the following:

• 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. The term entities reflect a broad interpretation to include partnerships, couples, legal entities, etc.

  Veteran Farmer or Rancher – The term "Veteran Farmer or Rancher" means a producer who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the reserve component thereof; was released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; and:

• has not operated a farm or ranch, or has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; or

• who first obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 10-year period.

A legal entity or joint operation can be a Veteran Farmer or Rancher only if all individual members independently qualify.

Note: NRCS offers historically underserved EQIP participants the opportunity to receive advance payments for costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services. All EQIP practices are eligible for advance payments, including vegetative, structural, and management practices. Historically underserved customers can use the option for as many or as few

practices as they choose.

Question 4

Enter information regarding land being offered for enrollment in the selected programs.

Question 4a

Check the applicable boxes identifying the type of ownership of the land included in the application.

Question 4b

Check the applicable boxes that support the documented control of the land being offered for enrollment.

Note: A deed or evidence of ownership is required for all ACEP-WRE and RCPP easement applications.

Question 4c

Mark “yes” if the land in this application is currently enrolled in another USDA conservation

program under an active contract or agreement and list the program(s) in the space provided. Otherwise, mark “no.”

Question 4d

Check the applicable box acknowledging organic status of the operation. Mark “N/A” if this application is for an operation not in organic-related production. Certification in any of these categories is to assist with planning and will not automatically result in the application being considered in any initiative made available for organic-related production.

• Certified Organic Producers must maintain organic certification for the life of the contract.

• Transition Organic Producers must self-certify that they agree to develop and implement an Organic System Plan (OSP).

• Organic Producers selling less than $5,000 per year must self-certify that they agree to develop and implement an Organic System Plan (OSP).

Note: Applicants must specifically request to participate in an organic initiative.

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Question 4e

Enter the predominant crop type(s) produced on the land included in this application.

Question 4f

Enter the predominant livestock type(s) produced by the operation on the land included in this application.

Question 5

Mark “yes” if you prefer to receive application or contract documents electronically via email. If

you select this option, NRCS will default to delivering documents electronically whenever possible; however, NRCS may still send some documents and information in hard copy.