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Small Farm/Small Business

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This information provides small businesses and small farms with assistance in understanding and following regulations associated with their business. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) implement EPA's ongoing commitment to minimize the burden of its regulations on small entities to the extent EPA can while still meeting statutory requirements.

Related topics
Compliance and Enforcement

Related publications from the Ag Center
Compliance and Enforcement
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) & Audit Protocols
General Information
Small Farm/Small Business Information

More information from EPA
EPA Hotlines

Small Business Incentives Policy

To help small businesses comply with environmental regulations and achieve health, safety, and environmental health benefits, the Environmental Protection Agency has incentives for small businesses who evaluate their own operations for compliance, then voluntarily disclose and correct violations. This program is called the Small Business Incentives Policy and is intended to promote environmental compliance among small businesses by giving them special incentives to participate in compliance assistance programs or to conduct environmental audits, and then promptly correct violations.

Related publications from the Ag Center
Compliance and Enforcement

More information from EPA
Small Business Compliance Policy (PDF) (18 pp, 43K)

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Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

EPA is one of 12 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program, enacted in 1982 to strengthen the role of small businesses in federal Research and Development, create jobs, and promote U.S. technical innovation. There are approximately 22 million small businesses in the United States that employ more than 50 percent of the private work force and develop most of the country's new technologies. To participate in SBIR, a small business must have fewer than 500 employees, and at least 51 percent of the business must be owned by U.S. citizens.

EPA issues annual solicitations for Phase I and Phase II research proposals from science and technology-based firms. Under Phase I, the scientific merit and technical feasibility of the proposed concept is investigated. EPA awards firm-fixed-price Phase I contracts of up to $70,000 and the period of performance is typically 6 months. Phase II contracts are limited to small businesses that have successfully completed their Phase I contracts. The objective of Phase II is to commercialize the Phase I technology.

More information from EPA
Small Business Innovation Research Program
SBIR Fact Sheet (PDF) (1 pg, 58K)

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Small Business Ombudsman

Established in 1982, EPA's Office of the Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations.

Telephone assistance from EPA
 Small Business Ombudsman  800-368-5888

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Compliance Assistance Centers
National Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse
Agriculture
CCAR-GreenLink (automotive industry) Exit EPA
ChemAlliance (chemical manufacturers) Exit EPA
Federal Facilities (FedSite)
Local Government  (LGEAN) Exit EPA
National Metal Finishing  Exit EPA
Paints and Coatings Exit EPA
Printers (PNEAC) Exit EPA
Printed Wiring Board Exit EPA
Transportation (TERC) Exit EPA

Information from EPA
Energy Star - Small Business
EPA Enforcement Alerts
EPA Small Business Gateway
Small Business Assistance Information
Small Business Regulatory Publications

Information from USDA Exit EPA
CSREES Southern Regional Water Quality Program
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center - Agricultural Funding Resources

Information from the states Exit EPA
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) - representing the state departments of agriculture in the development, implementation, and communication of sound public policy and programs which support and promote the American agricultural industry, while protecting consumers and the environment.
Idaho One Plan - An innovative approach to conservation planning that enables farmers and ranchers in Idaho to identify and address multiple environmental agency requirements while ensuring a viable and sustainable approach.
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) - assists in the implementation of agricultural pollution prevention practices on farms.
Montana State University - Animal and Range Science Extension Service: Natural Resources Links/Small Acreage Landowner Teaching Materials - These modules are designed to assist people in teaching small acreage landowner seminars. Each module contains information about various exercises and includes PowerPoint presentations that can be downloaded.

Cooperative Efforts
Greenbiz Leaders Database Exit EPA (EPA and Greenbiz.com)
Small Business Environmental home page Exit EPA

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