Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Contract Information

New Jersey is one of fifteen states offering the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. This voluntary program in New Jersey specifically targets beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, small farms, and producers who have had limited participation in other USDA financial assistance programs.

NRCS accepted applications for AMA only when program funds have been made available through Congress. Signed applications filed with the local NRCS office during announced sign-up periods are evaluated for funding during the same year. Selections are based on announced ranking criteria, and at least one conservation practice must be implemented in the year the contract is awarded.

Applicants must have current crop and producer records on file with USDA’s Farm Service Agency. They must own or control the land, agree to implement specific eligible conservation practices according to the contract schedule, and qualify for farmland assessment. In addition, applicants must meet at least 3 of the 6 state criteria to be eligible for the program in New Jersey.

Criteria for AMA in New Jersey

1. Average annual gross farm sales $75,000 or less for the last three years
2. Farm acreage less than 50 of specialty/vegetable crops/pasture OR less than 200 of any other crops
3. USDA program payments less than $10,000 (total) over the last five years
4. Production income more than 75% of the total household income (for the previous tax year)
5. Farm Operating Loan (private or government) used to support the beginning farm operation
6. Rented acreage totals more than 50% of the total production acreage of the farm.

What Practices Can Receive Funding?

National AMA goals are water management, tree planting, and risk management through production diversification and the implementation of resource conservation practices. New Jersey has developed several categories for applications that address these national concerns.

 

Category	Eligible Practices on Cropland	Eligible Practices on Grazing Land
Improve soil condition for organic crop or livestock production	Cover Crop, Residue Management, No Till/Strip Till, Contour Buffer Strips, Field Border, Filter Strip, Mulching, Irrigation Water Management, Pest Management, Nutrient Management, Windbreak Establishment	Prescribed Grazing, Pasture Planting, Fence, Use Exclusion, Watering Facility & appurtenances, Water Well & Pump
Increase soil organic matter for conventional crop or livestock production	Cover Crop, Residue Management, No Till/Strip Till, Contour Buffer Strips, Field Border, Filter Strip, Irrigation Water Management, Pest Management, Nutrient Management	Prescribed Grazing, Pasture Planting, Fence, Use Exclusion, Watering Facility & appurtenances, Water Well & Pump
Reduce on-farm energy use	No Till/Strip Till, Residue Management, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, High Efficiency Irrigation Systems, Irrigation Water Management	Prescribed Grazing, Solar powered electric fencing or water pumping

How Does Signup for AMA Work?

Interested applicants may request a new or updated conservation plan for their farm at any time, and review the program information provided here.

NRCS will only accept applications when program funds have been made available through congress. Sign-up periods will be announced here, through farm organizations and through the general media. A signed application must be filed with the local NRCS office during the announced sign-up period in order for NRCS to accept the application.

A contract offer is then developed based on the conservation plan, and is ranked on how well the proposed practices meet national, state, and local environmental objectives, as well as their cost-efficiency.

The local objectives of the AMA program in New Jersey include environmental risk factors of the applicant land area, such as distance to bodies of water and pollution potential from nutrients leaching into groundwater.

What are the Payment Rates and Terms?

Program payment rates are calculated at 75% of the typical cost of implementing the practice. Payments are made after conservation practices are fully implemented and are based on the extent of the practice completed, not the actual cost of implementation.

These documents are available in Adobe Acrobat format.
AMA 2008 Fact Sheet (171 KB)
AMA Application - NRCS-CPA-1200 (28 KB)
AMA 2008 Self Certification (21 KB)
AMA 2008 Ranking Sheet (12 KB)
AMA 2008 Payment Schedule (15 KB)

 

Once an application is selected for funding, a conservation plan is developed with the help of NRCS. A contract detailing the practices, payment rates, schedule for implementation, and operation and maintenance requirements must be signed by all parties before work can begin. Contracts are for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 10 years. Practices must be maintained for the official life span of the practice, regardless of the length of the contract.

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Last Modified: April 29, 2008