WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is now accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Producers could begin receiving checks in early June for the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Ranchers and farmers can begin signing up for the program that provides assistance to producers of eligible commodities who have suffered a five percent or greater price decline or who experienced market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19.
There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits where members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the ranching or farming operation.
According to USDA officials, the agency has tried to streamline the sign up process as much as possible. A form with a payment calculator
Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested.
FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed. Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020.
The program will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s ranchers and farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the direct support to ranchers and farmers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.
