USDA Offering Wednesday Webinar To Answer CFAP Questions

The USDA recently expanded eligibility to include more commodities in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, better known as CFAP. And in an effort to help producers navigate the needed paperwork, USDA is working to engage and answer questions proactively. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Shelby Myers says some of the biggest additions by USDA come from specialty crops.

“USDA expanded eligibility to 41 more specialty crops in addition to the 42 that were added in July. And then also added all ages of sheep, frozen and liquid eggs, aquaculture, nursery crops and cut flowers, while amending eligibility for six other specialty crops. This expansion will help more producers access the direct assistance needed to ease the financial and economic burdens resulting from COVID-19.”

Myers said the initial creation of the program covered many commodities, but others were not included because of program requirements.

“Many were considered ineligible due to a lack of publicly available price data showing a five percent or greater price decline as the program required. With efforts from the American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm groups to submit comments and price data, USDA continues to expand eligibility to more commodities as the information collected shows individual commodity needs.”

USDA has extended the deadline to apply for CFAP, it now sits as September 11^th. And to answer questions, the USDA will hold a webinar for producers who want more commodity information, Wednesday at noon Pacific. Click Here to register for the webinar.

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