USDA Is Now Launching New CRP Transaction

www.agrinews-pubs.com
Tom Doran
2010-06-24

new program to encourage retired or retiring owners or operators to transition their land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers was recently announced.

The Transitions Incentives Program is provided through the conservation title of the 2008 farm bill, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said during a teleconference. Sign up for the program began May 17.

If all program requirements are met, TIP provides annual rental payments to the retiring farmer for up to two additional years after the date of the expiration of the CRP contract, provided the transition is not to a family member. To be eligible, TIP requires that the retired or retiring farmer or rancher:

* Have land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program that is in the last year of the contract;

* Agree to allow the beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher make conservation and land improvements; and

* Agree to sell or have a contract to sell or agree to long-term lease — a minimum of 5 years — the land under CRP contract to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher by Oct. 1 of the year the CRP contract expires.

USDA allows for the program to be used retroactively for CRP ground that came out of CRP after passage of the last farm bill on June 18, 2008, provided the land is enrolled in the new transition program by Sept. 30, 2010.

“Ensuring that our nation’s land is returned to production using sustainable methods is critical not only for our future food supply, but also for the economic future of our rural communities,” Merrigan said. “Access to land is one of the greatest challenges faced by new farmers.

“The Transition Incentives Program is one more tool in USDA toolkit to protect family farms and support beginning and socially disadvantaged the farmers.

“I think this is a major step forward, and our overall effort here at USDA to help out new and socially disadvantaged farmers, particularly those who want to start or expand their operation in a sustainable way.

“It’s supporting local economies, providing opportunities for these new folks and really paving the way to rebuilding and revitalizing rural America.

“One of the concerns that we have, and we’ve been talking about this across the country, is that the average age of farmers and ranchers in the country is 57, and we are all wondering who is the next generation of Americans who are going to care for our working lands and produce the food and fiber that Americans and people around the world need.

“Opportunities like the TIP program provide a path for new entrance into American agriculture.”

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has been a strong advocate for the CRP transition option.

“The CRP Transition Incentives Program is a win-win situation for U.S. agriculture,” said Martha Noble, NSAC senior policy associate.

“It increases the opportunity for new farmers and ranchers to get access to land while helping to retain important conservation benefits on land coming out the CRP.

“In our view, this is a far preferable social and environmental outcome than former CRP ground simply being sold or leased to the highest bidder.”

NSAC has urged the Farm Service Agency to implement the CRP transition regulation for nearly two years.

“Unfortunately, FSA failed to get the CRP Transition option implemented during 2008-2009,” said Traci Bruckner with the Center for Rural Affairs and co-chair of NSAC’s Farming Opportunities Committee.

“However, the new rule still offers an opportunity to those who wanted to use the program last year, but could not to do so now, and we applaud USDA’s decision to be flexible.

“With another 15 million acres of CRP ground with contracts expiring between 2010 and 2012, the important thing now is for FSA to work hard to publicize and do outreach on the program. We are certainly going to join them in that effort.”

Incentives to assist new farmers and ranchers in gaining access to land in the coming years are critically important, according to NSAC.

The 2007 Agriculture Census found that the number of agricultural operators 75 years and older grew by 20 percent from 2002, while the number of operators under 25 years old decreased by 30 percent.

“The future of many of the nation’s rural communities will depend on the next generation of farm families having access to land and farming that land in a way that is sustainable and consistent with conservation goals,” Bruckner said.

Producers interested in applying and participating in TIP should visit their USDA Farm Service Agency county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.




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