NB_300_23_29 - NB 300-23-29 LTP – Use of FY 2023 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Funds Received from the Risk Management Agency (RMA)
NB 300-23-29 LTP – Use of FY 2023 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Funds Received from the Risk Management Agency (RMA)
National
Bulletin:
300-23-29
Date:
May 10, 2023
Subject:
LTP – Use of FY 2023 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Funds Received from the Risk Management Agency (RMA)
Action Required By:September 30, 2023
Purpose. To provide guidance to State Conservationists (STCs) in the 16 AMA states on the use of FY 2023 AMA funds from RMA.
Expiration Date. September 30, 2023
Background. AMA program funding has been expanded to establish a financial assistance program for eligible producers in 16 states to implement select conservation practices such as high tunnel systems, micro irrigation, sprinkler system, irrigation water management and other specified irrigation and water related practices. NRCS has experience in providing technical and financial assistance to producers implementing these practices and will leverage this additional funding provided by RMA to assist producers in the 16 AMA states. NRCS will use its current program delivery mechanisms to distribute the funds.
Explanation. AMA states are to emphasize to the greatest extent possible these program funding opportunities to historically underserved groups defined as New and Beginning, Limited Resource, Socially Disadvantaged, and Military Veteran Producers. States will be requested to use outreach opportunities to target potential applicants in their states. Applicants must meet the existing producer eligibility provisions for AMA in Subpart P of the NRCS Working Lands Conservation Program manual. Field offices are to coordinate with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for applicants who need to obtain an FSA farm and tract number for program eligibility.
This funding will provide producers financial assistance up to 75 percent of the cost of practice implementation and will provide historically underserved producers up to 90 percent of the cost of practice implementation – similar to that of the NRCS AMA program.
Associated practices needed for proper operation shall be used to address all environmental concerns, such as erosion, irrigation and runoff associated with the installation and use of these conservation practices in all landscape locations.
A separate allocation of financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds will be made to AMA states. A separate subaccount for tracking the funds for each state has been developed for reporting purposes.
The final date for states to obligate the funds is Friday, September 30, 2023.
States will be required to provide a report on the use of these funds (e.g., success stories, total obligated funds, number of contracts, types of practices and planned extents) by Friday, November 17, 2023.
Contact. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly German AMA Program Manager, Financial Assistance Programs Division, at kelly.german@usda.gov.