Glossary of Terms

Agricultural land:

Cropland, grassland, pasture and other agricultural land on which agricultural and forest products of livestock are produced and where resource concerns can be addressed.

Beginning farmer:

A farmer who has been farming fewer than 10 years.

Conservation practice:

A structural, vegetative or management measure taken to maintain or improve the condition, productivity, sustainability or usability of targeted resources. Examples of conservation practices include cover crops, nutrient management, manure storage facilities and wildlife habitat improvement.

Contract:

A binding agreement for the transfer of financial and technical assistance from NRCS for the installation and maintenance of specific conservation practices as scheduled and agreed to by NRCS and the participant.

Easement:

An interest in land defined and delineated in a deed whereby the landowner conveys all rights, title and interests, but the landowner retains rights specifically reserved in the easement deed contract.

Limited-resource farmer:

A farmer with limited financial resources. Determine your eligibility at: HYPERLINK "http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/tool.asp" www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/tool.asp

Non-industrial forest land:

Rural land that has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees and is owned by any non-industrial private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian tribe or other private legal entity that has definitive decision-making authority over the land.

Rental contract:

A legal document that specifies the obligations and rights of the participant, including annual rental payments to be provided to the participant.

Socially disadvantaged:

People who belong to racial or ethnic groups that have historically been subjected to prejudice.