View Rule

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is revising regulations on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to specify the requirements for a person to be considered actively engaged in farming for the purpose of payment eligibility for certain FSA and CCC programs.  Specifically, FSA is revising and clarifying the requirements for a significant contribution of active personnel management to a farming operation. These changes are required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). The provisions of the rule will not apply to persons or entities comprised solely of family members. The rule will not change the existing regulations as they relate to contributions of land, capital, equipment, labor, or the special rules related to landowners with a risk in the crop or spouses.

Statement of Need:

This rule is needed to update the FSA regulations to implement a provision in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79)

Alternatives:

There are alternatives about how many managers a farming operation may be able to have qualify for payments based on being actively engaged in farming.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

A cost-benefit analysis was prepared for this rule and will be made available when the rule is published.

Risks:

None.