Income form needed to maintain program eligibility
By Ryan Castle
ryan.castle@mn.usda.gov
Date Modified: 08/17/2011 3:39 PM
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USDA Farm Service Agency reminds producers that they must submit an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) verification consent form (CCC-927 or CCC-928) to the IRS as soon as possible in order to maintain eligibility for 2009 and 2010 program benefits.
The consent form authorizes IRS to verify for FSA whether a payment recipient's AGI meets the eligibility requirements for FSA programs. The form became a requirement for payment eligibility beginning with the 2009 crop year, however many program participants have not yet submitted this form for 2009 and 2010 program benefits.
Producers who fail to file these forms before September 2011 will receive a notice from the national office stating that the producer is ineligible for 2009 and/or 2010 payments. The producer will be responsible for fully refunding all payments received under programs subject to AGI limitations.
IRS requires written consent from all individuals or legal entities before verification of the average AGI can be provided to USDA. Individuals must submit form CCC-927and legal entities must submit form CCC-928. Without these forms on file, eligible producers will not receive USDA program payments.
The consent forms are required for payments received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as those received through FSA. Completed forms must be returned to the IRS.
For more information on AGI eligibility requirements or the AGI verification process, contact your local FSA office.
2011 CRP Haying and Grazing
Producers considering haying or grazing of eligible Conservation Reserve Program acres need prior approval from the County Committee. Managed haying and grazing is authorized no more frequently than one out of every three years after the cover is fully established. Before the Committee can allow haying or grazing, CRP participants:
* shall request approval to harvest eligible CRP acreage
* specify acreage to be harvested for hay for livestock and acreage to be harvested for Biomass
* obtain a modified conservation plan to included harvesting and grazing requirements as determined by NRCS
* be limited to one cutting
* shall not harvest during the nesting season
* shall remove all hay or biomass from CRP fields within 120 calendar days of the end of the primary nesting season
* who do not own livestock, may harvest hay for sale to an eligible livestock producer or sell the hay for biomass
A 25 percent payment reduction is assessed for every approved acre hayed or grazed. Participants who harvest CRP acreage without approval or fail to follow these provisions will be subject to the noncompliance provisions.
During the primary nesting and brood rearing season the County Committee cannot authorize haying and grazing on CRP acres. In addition, some mid-contract management practices may limit the use of managed haying and grazing. Additional information on haying and grazing of eligible CRP acres is available at your local FSA County Office.
Castle is county executive director of the Wabasha County Farm Service Agency.