USDA.gov USDA.gov NRCS Home
USDA
 
Search
Search
General Information
  NRCS Limited Resource Farmer Programs
  Purpose
Determination Tools
  FY 2024 Online Tool
  FY 2023 Historic Data
  FY 2022 Historic Data
  FY 2021 Historic Data
  FY 2020 Historic Data
  FY 2019 Historic Data
Definitions
  Limited Resource
  Beginning Farmer
  SDA Farmer
  Veteran Farmer
Other Resources
  NASS Prices Paid Data
  National Poverty Level Data
  County Household Median Income
  ERS Analysis
Other Resources
  USDA Offices

For questions concerning the definition of Limited Resource Farming and/or supporting economic data, contact: Mark Peters, Economist, FPAC Business Center.

This site is provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.


 

Limited Resource Farmer and Rancher - (LRF/R)
Beginning Farmer Program Definition

Beginning Farmer or Rancher

Definition

A Beginning Farmer or Rancher means an individual or entity who:

  1. 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 an entity,
  2. Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.

    1. 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 and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located
    2. In the case of a contract with an entity, all members must materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation requires that each of the members provide some amount of the management, or labor and management necessary for day-to-day activities, such that if each of the members did not provide these inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired.

 
NRCS Home | USDA.gov | FOIA Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House