Farmers and ranchers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for federal assistance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which sets aside $16 billion for producers experiencing losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Farmers and ranchers who have experienced a price decline of 5% or more between mid-January to April due to market disruptions caused by the pandemic are eligible.

According to the USDA’s website, eligible commodities include:

• Non-specialty crops: malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat.
• Wool
• Livestock: cattle, hogs, and sheep
• Dairy

Specialty crops:

• Fruits: apples, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, oranges, pears, papaya, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelons.
• Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, dry onions, green onions, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, and taro.
• Nuts: almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
• Other: beans and mushrooms

Payments will be capped at $250,000 per person or organization.

Farmers can apply for the program through their local farm service agency office.

The deadline to apply is August 28, 2020.

To learn more or to apply, click on the following link:

https://www.farmers.gov/cfap