A conservation practice that facilitates management or the function of another practice, or both, but does not achieve the desired effects on its own. Example: A fence is a facilitating practice for prescribed grazing. Prescribed grazing helps improve forage for livestock.

Cropland left idle during the growing season.

As defined by USDA regulations, a farm that produces agricultural commodities for sale in such quantities so as to be recognized in the community as a farm and not a rural residence; produces enough income (including off-farm employment) to pay family and farm operating expenses, pay debts, and maintain the property; is managed by the operator; and has a substantial amount of labor provided by the operator and the operator

As defined for purposes of the Census of Agriculture since 1978, a farm is any place that has, or has the potential to produce, $1,000 or more in annual gross sales of farm products. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, there are about 2.13 million farms in the United States. This number includes all farm sizes and ownership structures, including incorporated farms, family partnerships, and individual ownerships.

The Farm and Ranch lands Protection Program (FRPP) helps to keep land in agriculture and limit urban sprawl. The state or local government buys 30 year or permanent development rights for the land while the landowner maintains the right to ownership. In exchange for payment, the landowner agrees to implement a conservation plan on highly erodible land and keep the land in agriculture. This program is available on cropland or rangeland.

The omnibus agricultural legislation that expires every four or five years. The Federal Farm Bill provides the funding for all USDA programs.

a non-governmental political agency that works for farmers' rights

The resources that are used in farm production, such as chemicals, equipment, feed, seed and energy. Over time, prices of farm inputs have increased relative to commodity prices, creating what farmers describe as a cost-price squeeze.

A person who operates a farm by doing the work himself, by supervising the work of others, or by making the day-to-day management decisions. Nationally, farm operators own about 57 percent of their land and lease or rent the remainder, according to the U.S. House Ag Committee. (See

The price that farmers receive for the commodities they market. Sometimes referred to as the "farm-gate price

10 regions established by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service,

An identifier assigned by Farm Service Agency (FSA) to a farm.

The agency responsible for administering farm income-support programs, conservation cost-sharing programs and farm loan programs. FSA services are provided through field service centers located throughout the agricultural areas of the nation. The FSA was formerly known as the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, or ASCS

The Farmable Wetland Program (FWP) focuses on the restoration of wetlands to improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife. The federal government shares in the cost to restore wetlands that have a history of being cropped. Incentive payments are given to implement additional conservation practices. Landowners may also receive assistance to implement a conservation plan. This program works in conjunction with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This program is available on cropland or rangeland.

Another confusing term, because of course all cattle are

Land that is owned by the federal government. This does not include land administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Land that is owned by the federal government. This does not include land administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Common farmer term for livestock feed. The verb

Any of the grains commonly used for livestock feed, including corn, grain sorghum, oats, rye and barley. Grains intended for human consumption are called

A steer, heifer or cow mature enough to be placed in a feedlot where it will be fattened prior to slaughter.

A cattle feeding facility (usually a pen, not a building) where feeder cattle that are generally less than a year old are put on higher protein rations to prepare them for slaughter as

Any organic or inorganic material, either natural or synthetic, used to supply elements such as nitrogen, phosphate, and potash that are essential for plant growth.

A cultivated area of land that is marked out for a particular crop or cropping sequence.

The official NRCS guidelines, criteria, and standards for planning and applying conservation treatments

A barrier composed of trees, shrubs, or other vegetation. It is used to reduce wind erosion, control snow, provide wildlife habitat, and conserve energy.

A document indicating that no significant environmental impact will occur with a proposed activity.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a unit of the U.S. Department of Interior. Its mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a program called

A fixed dollar amount paid for carrying out certain conservation practices on a per-unit basis. Use of this method of payment is generally applied to incentive practices/activities and recurring payments.

The annual cash lease payment is flexible depending upon yields and/or prices. Such flexible payments are frequently combined with a fixed base to guarantee a minimum lease payment

A major and devastating disease of cloven-footed animals (e.g., cattle and pigs) that was eradicated from the United States in 1929 largely by the elimination of infected animals, and for whose absence U.S. beef, dairy and pork producers are profoundly grateful. It is not a threat to human health.

The production of grasses, legumes, forbs, or other vegetation on pasture and hayland. This includes: planting, grazing, haying, or harvesting.

Any herbaceous plant other than those in the grass family.

The land use designation for land on which the primary vegetation are trees or other woody plants (climax, natural, or introduced plant community) and use may be for the production of wood products.

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) works to protect forestlands that are threatened by conversion to development. The state forest service buys permanent development rights for the forestland while the landowner maintains the right to ownership. In exchange for payment, the landowner agrees to use sustainable forestry practices.

A plan prescribing measures to be used on a particular ownership to implement cost-shared practices.

The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) is works to increase forest health and vigor. Landowners receive assistance in developing a Forest Stewardship Plan, which includes soil maps, topographic maps, and lists of endangered species. The landowner is given specific recommendations to enhance the health of their forest. This program works with the Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP) to implement the recommendations.

Forgive us for stating the obvious, but it

The Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP) works to promote the sustainability of private forestlands and to encourage long-term active forest management. Your state forest service shares in the cost to implement management plans laid out in the landowner

A system in which the market forces of supply and demand determine prices and allocate available supplies, without government intervention.

A sterile female calf born as the twin of a bull calf. No, we

Although FFA was created in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the name was changed in 1988 to represent the growing diversity of agriculture, and the group