There’s money out there to help farmers hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. The Scioto, Pike, and Jackson-Vinton Farm Bureaus reminded farmers on how to apply for the funds today on social media.
The money comes from the USDA’s USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The program provides direct payments to farmers to make up for losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmers have until August 28 to apply for their share of the $16 billion dollars in assistance.
Who can apply?
Producers of crops or livestock that have suffered a 5% or greater price decline due to COVID-19. These producers face additional marketing costs due to surplus production, lower demand, and strains on the supply chain.
Eligible commodities:
Producers of the following crops and livestock may be eligible.
- 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 (lambs and yearlings only)
- Dairy
- Specialty Crops
- Fruits: apples, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, oranges, papaya, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes, 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, taro
- Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts
- Other: beans, mushrooms
Income Restrictions:
There are income restrictions for assistance:
A person or legal entity must have an adjusted gross income of less than $900,000 for 2016, 2017, and 2018.
If 75% of adjusted gross income comes from farming, ranching, for forestry, the limit does not apply
No Substance Abuse Violations
Additionally, the person applying cannot have a controlled substance abuse violation and must comply with conservation compliance provisions.
Payments
Producers will receive 80% of their maximum payment when their application is approved. The rest will be paid later if funds remain available.
You’ll need to fill out a form and get the numbers to your local farm bureau in person, via email, or over the phone:
Jackson-Vinton FSA
2026 Fairgreens Road
Jackson 45640
740-286-5208 ext 2
Scioto-Pike FSA
12167 A State Route 104.
Lucasville OH 45648
740-259-3075 ext 2
Click here to get your copy of the form to print.
