What is the Transition Incentives Program (TIP)?

The Transition Incentives Program (TIP) offers assistance for land owners and operators, as well as opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. It provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group. Up to two additional annual CRP payments can be obtained through TIP. New land owners or renters must return the land to production using sustainable grazing or farming methods.

Why is TIP important?

TIP provides land owners and operators with an incentive to return land to production on an expiring CRP Contract in a way that preserves established conservation practices. It also provides an opportunity for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to purchase their own land or rent land.

For more information on enrolling in TIP, please scroll down to the Participant Information section or download the TIP fact sheet.

Participant Information

How do I enroll in TIP?

Only land enrolled in an expiring CRP contract is eligible. TIP enrollment is on a continuous basis, and may occur up to one year before a contract is set to expire. To qualify for TIP, the land owner or operator must either sell this land, or lease it on a long-term basis (at least five year), to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.

Is TIP land eligible for any FSA conservation programs?

New owners and operators may also be eligible to enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program or Environmental Quality Incentives Program, both initiatives of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

For further information about the program, including CRP contract expiration rules, rental payment information, maintenance criteria, and land requirements, visit your local FSA office.

Definitions

Here you’ll find definitions related to qualifying for TIP.

• Beginning farmer or rancher: a person or entity who has not been a farm or ranch operator for more than 10 years.
• Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher: a farmer or rancher who is a member of a group whose members have historically been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as a member of that group. For this program, gender is not included.