2012 Rules
Application, Reimbursement, Verification
Application Rules
- Applications must be postmarked June 1-7, 2012 or hand delivered during the same period.
• Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications postmarked or hand delivered prior to June 1, 2012 and after June 7, 2012 are ineligible.
- Application A (Genetics, Livestock Equipment, Hay Storage, Livestock Feed Storage, and Grain Storage) cost share requests will be approved by priority level (1-5).
• Applicants must prioritize their requests in the order of importance to their operation in 2012. (1=first priority, 2=second priority, 3=third priority, etc.)
• Full-time farmers will be given priority for each level.
• TAEP defines a full-time farmer as an agricultural producer whose primary occupation is farming and earns the majority (50 percent or more) of his/her annual income from farming.
• TAEP reserves the right to request additional documentation if needed.
• In the event that all remaining applications (after full-time farmers have been funded) in a priority level cannot be funded, approvals for those remaining applications will be chosen by a computer generated random selection, until all funds are allocated.
- Application B (Producer Diversification) cost share requests are evaluated on a competitive basis by industry sector.
- Applicants may only submit one Application A per premises or property, per household, per business, per application period.
- Applicants may only submit one Application B per premises or property, per household per business, per application period.
- Applicant will be notified in writing of approval or disapproval. Allow 10 weeks for application processing.
Reimbursement Rules
- Receipts/payments dated prior to June 1, 2012 are not eligible.
- Cash receipts or receipts for in-kind services are not eligible. (trade-in value is not eligible)
- Used equipment or used materials are not eligible for cost share reimbursement.
- Labor provided by applicant or their employees is not eligible for cost share reimbursement. Labor of any type is not eligible under Livestock Equipment.
- Applicant cannot be reimbursed for purchases from a business where applicant participates in ownership (producer cooperatives excluded).
- Applicants cannot combine projects with other applicants.
- Proof of payment is required in the form of cancelled check copies (bank provided cancelled check copies are acceptable), cashier’s check, money order or credit receipt/statement.
- Reimbursement documentation must be postmarked or hand delivered by the reimbursement deadline. Allow 10 weeks for processing. Additional processing time is required for incomplete reimbursement requests and requests submitted within one month of the program deadline.
- There can only be one reimbursement payment per cost share approved. Project must be completed before submitting reimbursement documentation.
- Failure to complete projects and utilize allocated funds can affect eligibility for future program participation.
- Falsifying applications, invoices or other documents submitted to TDA may make producer and farm ineligible to participate in present and/or future TDA programs, and may result in civil litigation or criminal prosecution.
Verification Rules
- Applicant must utilize equipment and structures purchased with cost share funds for the intended purpose of the program for a minimum of three continuous years from date of purchase.
- Site visits relating to the performance of the activity before, during and after completion may take place.
- Applicants may be required to repay funds if they fail to comply with all aspects of the cost share guidelines.
TDA Reserves The Right To:
- Reject any or all requests.
- Modify program criteria, approval and payment processes.
- Provide partial funding for specific activity components that may be less than the full amount requested.
- Require additional information from the applicant.
- Deny payments for projects that do not meet requirements.
