Agricultural
Management Assistance
AMA is a
voluntary program for agricultural producers that provides technical assistance and cost share funds to address natural resource concerns
such as water conservation and quality, soil erosion, and the transition to
organic farming.
In
New York, AMA is
available to any agricultural producer in the state. AMA Program funds will be
made available to implement conservation practices relating to Prescribed
Grazing Management, Erosion Control on Cropland, the Transition to Organic
Production and Pest Management.
Am I eligible? - Agricultural producers who own or have
control of cropland, hayland, pasture or other land
on which crops or livestock are produced and agree to implement approved conservation practices are eligible for AMA.
What practices
are eligible? - Prescribed
grazing, fencing, watering facilities, animal trails and walkways, pest
management, composting facilities, strip cropping, grassed waterways, critical
area planting, cover crops, diversions, residue management, agrichemical mixing
facilities, pasture and hayland management, buffers,
water and sediment control basins, and other approved practices.
How much
funding can I receive? -
The maximum annual payment is $50,000 per participant for AMA. The total over a
multi-year contract shall not exceed $150,000. The
cost-sharing rate is 75 percent of the total eligible cost of an approved
practice. Participants will be paid based upon verification of completion of
the qualified practice.
What is my
contribution? - 25% of
the cost of the eligible practice. This can include in-kind contributions such
as personal labor, use of personal equipment, donated labor or materials, and
approved used materials.
What are some
of the contract requirements? - You will need to enter a 3 to 10-year contract. In addition,
all practices must be installed according to NRCS standards and maintained for
the designated lifespan of the practice.
Where can I
find more information and also find out when more funding comes available? - Contact your local USDA - NRCS
representative at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/
Submitted by
Lisa Kempisty, Extension Resource Educator,
CCE-Chautauqua
County
Resource: USDA
- NRCS |
