In this chapter:

(1) Agricultural products

The term “agricultural products” shall not include cotton or tobacco or their products.

(2)(2) ¹ Association of producers

(A) In general

The term “association of producers” means any association of producers of agricultural products engaged in marketing, bargaining, shipping, or processing as defined in section 1141j(a) of title 12, or in section 291 of this title.

(B) Inclusion

The term “association of producers” includes an organization whose membership is exclusively limited to agricultural producers and dedicated to promoting the common interest and general welfare of producers of agricultural products.

(3)(3) ¹ Handler

(A) In general

The term “handler” means any person engaged in the business or practice of (i) acquiring agricultural products from producers or associations of producers for processing or sale; or (ii) grading, packaging, handling, storing, or processing agricultural products received from producers or associations of producers; or (iii) contracting or negotiating contracts or other arrangements, written or oral, with or on behalf of producers or associations of producers with respect to the production or marketing of any agricultural product; or (iv) acting as an agent or broker for a handler in the performance of any function or act specified in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).

(B) Exclusion

The term “handler” does not include a person, other than a packer (as defined in section 191 of this title), that provides custom feeding services for a producer.

(4) Producer

The term “producer” means a person engaged in the production of agricultural products as a farmer, planter, rancher, dairyman, fruit, vegetable, or nut grower.