CCC-860 Socially Disadvantage, Limited Resource, Beginning and V

This form is available electronically.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CCC-860
Commodity Credit Corporation
(07-21-20)

(See Page 2 for Definitions.)
(See Page 3 for Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Statements)

SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, LIMITED RESOURCE,
BEGINNING AND VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER
CERTIFICATION

1A. County FSA Office Name and Address
(Including Zip Code)

1B. Telephone No. (Area Code)

2. Applicant’s Name and Address

1C. Program Year

INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete Parts A, B, C and/or D as
applicable. Read the information relating to
false certification in Part E. Return this form
to the address in Item 1 above.

INFORMATION:

If a legal entity requests to be considered a “socially disadvantaged,” “limited resource,” “beginning” or
“veteran” farmer or rancher, the entity must meet the definition as provided on Page 2 of this form. Farmer or
rancher includes; “owners”, “operators” and “other producers”.
PART A – CERTIFICATION OF SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER

3. I certify that I am a member of a group listed below, whose members have been subject to racial, ethnic, or gender
prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. (Check all that apply but
note that if only "women" is checked without selecting the other category, the selection does not make the applicant socially
disadvantaged for conservation programs).
Women.

American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians or Asian Americans, Black or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other
Pacific Islanders, Hispanics.

PART B – CERTIFICATION OF LIMITED RESOURCE FARMER OR RANCHER

Limited resource farmer or rancher status can be determined by using a web site available through the Limited Resource Farmer
and Rancher Online Self-Determination Tool through National Resource and Conservation Service at
https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/.
4. I certify that the following statements are true by checking the box:
My/our direct or indirect gross farm sales (as individuals, if applicable for the entity or joint operation) do not exceed the amount
identified in the Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher Self-Determination Tool for the 2 calendar years that precede the complete
taxable year before the relevant program year (see Table 1 on Page 2 of this form), adjusted upwards in later years for any general
inflation.
My/our total household income (as individuals, if applicable for the entity or joint operation) was at or below the national poverty
level for a family of four in each of the same 2 previous years (see Table 1 on Page 2 of this form) referenced above.
PART C – CERTIFICATION OF BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER

5. I certify that the following statements are true by checking the box and providing the date I began farming:
I (or if applicable, the entity or joint operation) have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years.
I (or if applicable, the entity or joint operation) substantially participate in the operation.
Date (Month/Year began farming)

PART D – CERTIFICATION OF VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER

6. I certify that I am a farmer or rancher who has served in the Armed Forces as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(10) and I meet the
requirements of at least one of the boxes below: (Check all that apply)
A. I (or if applicable, the entity or joint operation) have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and
.
began farming in
Date (Month/Year)

B. I (or if applicable, the entity or joint operation) am a veteran (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2))who first
obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 10-year period

.

Date (Month/Year)

PART E – PENALTY FOR FALSE CERTIFICATION

The penalty for false certification is loss of all benefits for the crop year in which the false certification was made.
7B. Title/Relationship of the Individual Signing in
7A. Applicant’s Signature (By)
7C. Date (MM-DD-YYYY)
the Representative Capacity

CCC-860 (07-21-20)

Definitions:

Page 2 of 3

A. Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher:
A socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a group whose members have been subject to racial,
ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. Groups include:
American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians or Asian Americans, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific
Islanders, Hispanics, and women (for those selecting a group that includes gender). Note that if applicant only checks
“women” without also selecting the other category the selection does not make applicant socially disadvantaged for conservation
programs.
For entities requesting to be considered socially disadvantaged, at least 50% of the interest must be held by socially disadvantaged
individuals.
B. Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher:
A limited resource farmer or rancheris a farmer or rancher that meets the criteria for both of the following:

•

A producer whose direct or indirect gross farm sales do not exceed the amount identified in the Limited Resource
Farmer/Rancher Self-Determination Tool* in each of the 2 calendar years that precede the complete taxable year before the

relevant program year, adjusted upwards in later years for any general inflation, and
Table 1: Direct and Indirect Gross Sales
Program Year
2017
2018
2019
2020

•

Corresponding Years
2014 and 2015
2015 and 2016
2016 and 2017
2017 and 2018

A producer whose total household income was at or below the national poverty level for a family of four in each of the same 2
previous years reference in paragraph (1) of this definition.

* A limited resource farmer or rancher status can be determined using the web site available through the Limited Resource Farmer and
Rancher Online Self-Determination Tool through National Resource and Conservation Service at https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/.
For entities requesting to be considered limited resource farmer or rancher, all members must be a limited resource farmer or rancher.
Note: This definition is not applicable to Farm Loan Programs.
C. Beginning Farmer or Rancher:
A beginning farmer or rancher is a person or legal entity for which both of the following are true for the farmer or rancher:
•

Has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years, and

•

Materially and substantially participates in the operation.

For entities to be considered a beginning farmer or rancher, at least 50% of the interest must be beginning farmers or ranchers.
NOTE: This definition is not inclusive of all Farm Loan Programs requirements.
D. Veteran Farmer or Rancher:
A veteran farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in section 101 (10) of title 38) and
who—
•
Has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years total, or
•
Has obtained status as a veteran (as so defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) during the most recent 10-year period.
For entities requesting to be considered a veteran farmer or rancher, at least 50% of the interest must be held by veteran farmers or
ranchers.

CCC-860 (07-21-20)
NOTE:

Page 3 of 3

The following statement is made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a - as amended). The authority for requesting
the information identified on this form is the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.) and the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). The information will be used to certify that an individual, legal entity, or joint operation is a member of a
socially disadvantaged group, qualifies as a limited resource CCC producer, qualifies as a beginning farmer or rancher or qualifies as a
veteran farmer or rancher. The information collected on this form may be disclosed to other Federal, State, Local government
agencies, Tribal agencies, and nongovernmental entities that have been authorized access to the information by statute or regulation
and/or as described in applicable Routine Uses identified in the System of Records Notice for USDA/FSA-2, Farm Records File
(Automated) and USDA/FSA-14, Applicant/Borrower. Providing the requested information is voluntary. However, failure to furnish the
requested information will result in a determination of ineligibility for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, or beginning farmer or
rancher program benefits
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Statement: This information collection is exempted from the Paperwork Reduction Act as specified
in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334, Title I, Subtitle G, Administration). The provisions of criminal and civil
fraud, privacy and other statutes may be applicable to the information provided. RETURN THIS COMPLETED FORM TO YOUR
COUNTY FSA OFFICE.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating
based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and
complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in
languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter
all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or
letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.