Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 130c.37 - Applicant eligibility(a)Individuals. To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the applicant, if an individual, shall be:(1) A resident of this Commonwealth or show sufficient evidence that he intends to become a resident.(2) An active resident operator or resident manager of the farm.(3) Sufficiently educated, trained or experienced to carry out the sustainable agriculture or alternative crop project proposed in the grant application and guarantee he will participate in the project for the duration of the grant period.(4) Able to prove and document that the farmland or farm enterprise for which the grant is acquired is located in this Commonwealth.(5) Able to demonstrate the proceeds of the grant will be used for eligible sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes as defined in the act and this chapter and that all grant proceeds will be used exclusively for sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes in Commonwealth farming operations only.(b)Family farm partnership. To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the applicant, if a family farm partnership, the applicant's principle operating or managing partners shall:(1) Be residents of this Commonwealth or demonstrate they intend to become residents.(2) Have no more than three unrelated members.(3) Have at least one member residing on or actively operating or managing the farm.(4) Demonstrate the applicant or the principal operating or managing partners thereof have sufficient education, training or experience to carry out the sustainable agriculture or alternative crop project proposed in the grant application and guarantee he will participate in the project for the duration of the grant period.(5) Be able to prove and document that the farmland or farm enterprise for which the grant is acquired is located in this Commonwealth.(6) Be able to demonstrate the proceeds of the grant will be used for eligible sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes as defined in the act and this chapter and that all grant proceeds will be used exclusively for sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes in Commonwealth farming operations only.(c)Family farm corporation. To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the applicant, if a family farm corporation, shall meet the following requirements: (1) The family farm corporation shall be incorporated or registered to do business in this Commonwealth.(2) The principal operating or managing members or shareholders of the family farm corporation shall be residents of this Commonwealth or show sufficient evidence that they intend to become residents.(3) At least one of the majority stockholders of the family farm corporation shall reside on or actively operate or manage the farm.(4) None of the shareholders of the family farm corporation may be corporations.(5) The applicant or the principal operating or managing members or shareholders of the family farm corporation shall have sufficient education, training or experience to carry out the sustainable agriculture or alternative crop project proposed in the grant application and shall guarantee the family farm corporation will participate in the project for the duration of the grant period.(6) The family farm corporation shall demonstrate that the farmland or farm enterprise for which the grant is acquired, is located in this Commonwealth.(7) The family farm corporation shall be able to demonstrate the proceeds of the grant will be used for eligible sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes as defined in the act and this chapter and that all grant proceeds will be used exclusively for sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes in Commonwealth farming operations only.(d)Corporate farm. To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the applicant, if a corporate farm, shall meet the following requirements: (1) The corporate farm shall be incorporated or registered to do business in this Commonwealth.(2) The principal operating or managing members or shareholders of the corporate farm shall have sufficient education, training or experience to carry out the sustainable agriculture or alternative crop project proposed in the grant application and shall guarantee the corporation will participate in the project for the duration of the grant agreement.(3) The corporate farm shall demonstrate that the farm enterprise owns or leases farmland in this Commonwealth.(4) The corporate farm shall be able to demonstrate the proceeds of the grant will be used for eligible sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes as defined in the act and this chapter and that all grant proceeds will be used exclusively for sustainable agriculture or alternative crop purposes in Commonwealth farming operations only.(e)Nonprofit educational institution. To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, the applicant, if a nonprofit educational institution, shall:(1) Qualify as a nonprofit organization under 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.A. § 501(c)).(2) Be a State-owned or State-related college or university in this Commonwealth or any nonprofit organization, association or group in this Commonwealth.(3) Have experience in research or education in sustainable agriculture practices.(4) Have demonstrated a capacity to conduct agricultural research or education programs. This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130c.38 (relating to review of a grant application).