What’s a Farm Number—And Why Even Your Windowsill Might Qualify

What’s a Farm Number—And Why Even Your Windowsill Might Qualify 

By Erica Plants | Gardening Under Influence & Plant and Heal Co.

Let’s be clear—there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what a farm looks like.
It can be acres of crops, a backyard full of chickens, a pop-up greenhouse in the hood—or yes, even a windowsill with thriving herbs, houseplants, or microgreens that bring in income.

If you’re growing anything for sale or community benefit, the USDA may recognize your work. And that means you might be eligible for benefits, programs, and tax advantages that most folks don’t even know exist.

🌱 What Is a Farm Number?

A farm number is a unique ID assigned to your growing operation by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). It’s free to get and unlocks access to:

• USDA grants and funding

• Disaster recovery assistance

• Crop insurance and conservation programs

• Technical support and cost-sharing

• Heirs’ property protections

Whether you're growing tomatoes in clay soil or flipping philodendrons on Etsy—getting a farm number makes it real in the government’s eyes.

🧾 How Receipts Are Used by the USDA

Your receipts = your proof of activity.

The FSA doesn't require you to be a full-time farmer. They want to know:

• You’re growing or managing something agriculturally

• You’re selling, trading, bartering, or producing with intent

• You have documentation (not perfection)

Receipts can include:

• Seeds, compost, tools, or greenhouse materials

• Feed, fencing, irrigation, or soil amendments

• Sales of produce, houseplants, cut flowers, teas, or animal products

• Craft fair booth fees, market registration, or packaging expenses

🧠 Tip: No receipt? Contact the seller or platform (Etsy, Cash App, Square) and ask for a digital receipt or download your monthly statements. Even plant pot purchases can support your farm story.

📄 What’s a USDA Customer Receipt—And Why You Need to Keep It

Every time you visit your local FSA (Farm Service Agency) office—whether to apply for your farm number, update your records, or ask about a program—you’re entitled to a customer receipt.

📏 This receipt is your official paper trail. It confirms:

• What you applied for

• Who helped you

• What documents you submitted

• What actions were taken (or not)

• A time and date stamp

Always ask for your receipt before you leave the office—even if they don’t offer it up. Say:

“Can I please get a copy of the customer receipt for my visit today?”

If you didn’t get one:

1. Call or email the FSA office you visited

2. Ask for a copy of your Customer Service Record or “receipt for services on [insert date]”

This protects your rights as a farmer—especially for appeals, reimbursements, or when deadlines matter.

📝 How to Apply for a Farm Number — With the Official Form

If you’re ready to get your USDA farm number, there’s one key form you’ll need:

🔗 Form: AD-2047 — Customer Data Worksheet
📅 Download here (PDF):
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Customer-Service/pdf/ad2047.pdf

Bring:

• Your ID (driver’s license, passport, tribal ID)

• Proof of land access (deed, lease, or signed permission letter)

• Any receipts or photos showing farming activity

See here for other potential documents and expectations: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/USDA-service-centers#:~:text=documents%20you%20will%20need

Then:
📍 Find your local FSA office here:
https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Call your office and ask:

“What do I need to apply for a new farm number? And how does your office accept the AD-2047 form?”

🧠 Each county office is different. Some take walk-ins, some are appointment-only, and some want forms emailed or faxed. Follow their process exactly—and get your USDA customer receipt after submitting.

💼 What to Bring (Checklist)

• Form AD-2047, filled out

• Valid photo ID

• Land access proof (lease, deed, or letter)

• Farm receipts, sales logs, photos

• A pen and a positive attitude

💸 Bonus: Tax Benefits (State Dependent)

Once you’re in the USDA system, you may be eligible for state and local tax perks, like:

• Property tax reductions for ag use

• Sales tax exemption on seeds, feed, tools

• Income tax write-offs for farm costs

• Utility discounts for agricultural land

🚨 BUT these vary by state and county. Some require:

• Minimum sales (e.g. $1,000/year)

• Minimum acreage

• State Department of Ag registration

Call your local tax assessor and ask:

“Do I qualify for ag tax benefits or exemptions with my USDA farm number?”

🧣 Real Talk: What Counts as a Farm?

Yes, even houseplants. Even window herbs. If you're:

• Propagating plants for sale

• Selling garden starts or cuttings

• Making teas, tinctures, or bouquets

• Raising rabbits, worms, bees, or chickens

• Flipping microgreens or seedlings online

That’s farming. And that’s valid.

🔹 Final Words from Erica

A farm number is more than paperwork. It’s proof. It’s access. It’s protection.
It’s how you show the system: I’m here, I grow, I count.

🪴 Need help? Tap in at PlantandHeal.com or follow @gardeningunderinfluence for seeds, support, and strategy.

Yours in resilience, revenue, and rootwork,
Erica Plants
Plant and Heal Co. | Gardening Under Influence🪴 “Grow with what you got.”