California NRCS Program Participant Eligibility

Contact your local Service Center

NRCS programs and associated program benefits are available to eligible producers who meet basic eligibility requirements. Refer to individual program descriptions for specific information for each program located on this website. Each program may have entity, person, land or activity related requirements which must be met in order to qualify for benefits. Most programs require submittal of applications, determination of eligibility and project evaluation be completed at the local NRCS field office level by specified deadlines. For the EQIP, WRP, WHIP, GRP and CSP programs, eligible applicants must maintain or update the following information, records, certifications and financial documents before submitting an application. In addition to NRCS program requirements, producers are advised to carefully review all other eligibility requirements including update of farm records administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers are strongly encouraged to contact their local NRCS and FSA offices to make sure all records are current and correct before submitting a program application. Producers who submit incomplete applications or whose farm records and certifications are not up to date may be deferred for current year program application. Specific records include but are not limited to:

• Basic Program Application: Form NRCS-CPA-1200 signed by all program participants or authorized persons
• Form NRCS-CPA-1202: Contract and Appendix, if program application is approved.
• Form NRCS-CPA-09: Power of Attorney, if applicable to designate persons authorized to sign documents.
• Form AD-1026: Highly Erodible Land Conservation – Wetland Conservation Certification.
• Form CCC-501A: Entity Member Information, if applicable.
• Form CCC-526: Payment Eligibility Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Certification.
• Form SF-1199A: Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form. All payments must be electronically deposited.
• Form CA-LTP-5: Producer Certification of Irrigation History, if applicable.
• Land ownership or control – You may be required to provide evidence of control of land through ownership documents (deeds, etc) or lease information (rental agreements, permits, lease, etc).
• Signature authority – If the applicant is an entity, documents such as articles of incorporation, charter, bylaws, partnership agreements, trust agreements, wills and similar legal evidence.
• Proof of Identity –Authorized persons may be required to show valid state driver’s license, passport or other personal identification as well as provide Social Security or Employer Identification (EIN) numbers, address and other related information.

Note: Confidential and private information: Many of the program application forms or documentation require the applicant to provide sensitive, contact, financial or other confidential information. Disclosure of this data is voluntary, but failure to provide the required information in a timely manner may result in the deferral of an application or denial of a benefit payment. By law and policy, confidential, private and sensitive information is protected by USDA and employees and agency partners are subject to penalty and disciplinary action for inappropriate or mismanagement of private data.

For other program requirements, please refer to the individual program information pages or assigned program specialist for further assistance. The following links can be used to obtain program application forms and information regarding appeals and Freedom of Information requests.

Electronic versions of forms
NRCS Conservation Programs Appeals Division
USDA National Appeals Division
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Contact

Alan Forkey, Program Manager
Phone: 530-792-5653
Email: Alan.Forkey@ca.usda.gov

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Last Modified: 07/28/2008