Overview of New York Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) 2009

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) is a voluntary program that provides financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers who are willing to address priority environmental issues by implementing conservation practices. It is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Am I Eligible?

Producers engaged in crop production on eligible land may apply for the Program in New York.

Eligible crop production includes:

• Field-grown ornamentals
• Fruits
• Orchards
• Plant materials in greenhouses
• Row crops and others
• Vegetables
• Vineyards

Applicants must meet eligibility for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) certification.

What are my options?

In 2009, AMA in New York will focus on practices that improve Irrigation Efficiency. Applicants will compete for funding through a Statewide pool.

Examples of eligible practices include:

• Irrigation Water Management

• Micro-Irrigation

• Pipeline

• Pumping Plant

More information about Conservation Practices can be found at the USDA NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG).

 

For a complete list of eligible conservation practices, please refer to the table of Payment Schedules on this page.

What is the Funding?

New York has established a contract cap of $50,000 for AMA contracts.

How are payment levels determined?

Each eligible conservation practice has a Practice Payment Rate (PPR) which is a fixed amount based on a percentage of the state average cost of a typical installation of that practice.

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Are there options for historically underserved farmers?

The 2008 Farm Bill offers program opportunities for "Historically Underserved" individuals and groups. The Practice Payment rate for "Historically Underserved" is higher than the general rate.

These groups are:

• Socially Disadvantaged Groups

• Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers

• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

• Indian Tribes

More information is available at the NRCS Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers Web page.

What are the contract obligations?

New contracts are limited to a minimum of one year and a maximum of 6 years. At least one practice from the contract must be started in the first twelve months, and no practices may be scheduled in the last year of the contract. Producers can be held financially liable for unfulfilled contracts.

What do I need to do to apply?

You need to sign form NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application. Applications for 2009 must be received by May 29, 2009. Forms are available at your local USDA NRCS office or you can download the form.

AMA Update!
NRCS Announces Extension of 2009 Sign-Up for Conservation Assistance

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NRCS CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application (PDF; 33 KB)

What do I do next?

After applying at your local NRCS office, an NRCS conservationist will help you finalize a conservation plan, including selecting conservation practices. Your application will be ranked based upon national, state and local ranking criteria. Applications will be selected for funding based on these criteria. You will be notified once funding decisions have been made.

How can I find out more?

Contact your local USDA NRCS office, or visit the NRCS New York Web site.

• National AMA Information

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AMA in New York (PDF; 111 KB)
A printable version of the information presented on this Web page.

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