Resolution

WHEREAS The Advance Payment Program regulations restricts access to the program when applicant producers are considered “related” in some way; and

WHEREAS There are a growing number of instances where family members are being denied access to the program when they share assets but operate separate businesses with no ownership stake in each other’s production; and

WHEREAS The Advance Payment Program is a low-cost program for government that helps all producers, and especially beginning farmers, manage their production and marketing needs;           

BE IT RESOLVED That the federal government provide each program applicant access to the $400,000 advance payment limit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the total interest free portion be increased to $200,000 per farm operation.