Cotton Ginning Cost Share Program

With respect to cotton ginning expenses for the 2016 cotton crop, the Cotton Ginning Cost-Share (CGCS) Program provides a one-time cost-share payment, not to exceed 40 percent of calculated ginning costs by region, to cotton producers certifying to the number of cotton acres reported as being planted, including failed acreage, for the 2016 crop year and the percentage of share they had in the cotton.

1. Eligible applicants are individuals and legal entities with a share in the 2015 cotton crop reported as planted, including failed acres. 2. Use of the assistance is not restricted. 3. Cotton producers must comply with all USDA provisions on fraud (including the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation), conservation compliance, controlled substance, determined to be actively engaged in n farming, and the adjusted gross non-farm income cannot exceed $900,000.

The beneficiary or estate of a deceased producer may submit a CGCS payment application provided the deceased producer or the estate meets all of the eligibility requirements required for a CGCS payment.

Applicants are required to have an acreage report on file for the 2016 cotton crop either to Farm Service Agency on a FSA-578 form, or a crop insurance agent for Federal Crop Insurance purposes. The applicant must have a FSA-211 on file with FSA if an agent or representative of the applicant signs the CGCS application for payment on behalf of the applicant.

Funds can be used to assist with the costs associated with ginning cotton, and funds can be used to have a broader sense to aid in the expansion and development of new and additional markets for upland cotton and extra-long staple cotton produced in the United States. CGCS payments are limited to $40,000 per applicant.

This payment is a one-time payment that must be completed by September 30, 2018.

Applicants must sign and submit CCC-882 form CGCS Payment Application to FSA between March 12, 2018 to May 11, 2018 to be considered for a CGCS payment. Applications submitted after May 11,2018, will not be eligible for a CGCS payment. The signed and completed CCC-882 may be submitted in person, by mail, FAX, or by email to the local FSA office.

The payment is based upon the number of 2016 cotton crop acres reported as planted, including failed acres, times the applicants share in the 2016 cotton crop, times the applicable production region cost-share rate based upon the location of the cotton production acres as identified on the CCC-882.

Applications must be approved and paid no later than September 30, 2018.

Renewal of information is not required since the program will be offered as a one-time signup for a one-time payment.

Applicants can appeal if all of the following occur: (1)the application was submitted by the signup deadline of May 11, 2018, (2) the number of acres, shares, and/or the production regional cost-share rate if the data is incorrect, and (3) a payment has not been disbursed.