USDA Announces Funding Available to Organizations to Assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers under Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers impacted by the pandemic. Today also marks the reopening of FSA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) signup as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.

Visit farmers.gov/cfap for details on all eligible commodities, producer eligibility, payment limitations and structure and additional program resources.

PPP Deadline Extended: How You Can Still Apply

Congress designed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help small businesses keep workers employed during the pandemic. PPP loans revolve around payroll costs, including employer-provided benefits. Business owners can also use a small percentage of the loan to pay mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and other eligible expenses. PPP loans are forgivable.

The Small Business Administration has recently extended the deadline to apply for a PPP loan to May 31, 2021. With recent changes to the program, producers who were denied a PPP loan in 2020 may not qualify if the new rules address the issue that caused the initial denial of their loan. Those who did receive PPP loans in the first round may also be eligible for additional funds if the new rules expand their eligibility. Dairy farmers are encouraged to talk to their local lenders to learn more about their eligibility to receive a PPP loan and the forgiveness associated with it.

To help producers apply for assistance, the National Milk Producers Federation has assembled resources from the SBA to release a toolbox of producer resources. To access those resources, click on the links below: