USDA Expands and Extends the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Producers

For a summary of the January 15, 2021 USDA updates click here.

On August 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended and expanded the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) intended to aid farmers and ranchers suffering from negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

High-level Takeaways for Producers:

• Final payments granted: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will automatically issue the remaining 20 percent of the calculated payment to eligible producers (those who have previously applied, been approved, and initially received 80 percent of their payments).  Producers who apply for CFAP going forward will receive a 100 percent payment once their applications are approved.
• Application deadline extended: The application deadline has been extended to September 11, 2020
• Program expanded to include 60 additional commodities: additional specialty crops, non-specialty crops and livestock, aquaculture, and nursery crops and cut flowers now included.

CFAP Expansion and Changes

It’s important to note that for the majority of commodities, the CFAP eligibility requirements and payment limits still apply, and have not changed.  As a result of price decreases for certain commodities, the USDA has expanded and corrected funding categories and payment rates for several commodities.

Expanded Aid:

CFAP has also expanded aid for seven commodities – green onions, pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts and watermelons – are now eligible for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act funding for sales losses. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for payments on marketing adjustments.

• Examples: 
  • Pistachios – newly added; now CARES Act sales loss eligible
  • Walnuts – now CARES Act sales loss eligible
  • Aquaculture – newly added; some now CARES Act sales loss eligible

Adjusted Payment Rates:

Corrected CFAP payment rates were made for green onions, pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts, and watermelons.

• Examples: 
  • Pistachios –
    • CARES Act Payment Rate for Sales Losses: $0.22/lb
    • CARES Act Payment Rate for Product that left the farm but spoiled due to loss of marketing channel: $1.28/lb
    • CCC Payment Rate: $0.25/lb
  • Walnuts –
    • CARES Act Payment Rate for Sales Losses: $0.22/lb
    • CARES Act Payment Rate for Product that left the farm but spoiled due to loss of marketing channel: $1.28/lb
    • CCC Payment Rate: $0.25/lb
  •  Aquaculture –
    • Crawfish:
      • CARES Act Payment Rate: $0.65/lb; CCC Payment Rate: $0.05/lb
    • Largemouth Bass and Carp Sold as Foodfish:
      • CARES Act Payment Rate: $0.51/lb; CCC Payment Rate: $0.39/lb
    • Salmon:
      • CARES Act Payment Rate: $1.14/lb; CCC Payment Rate: $0.31/lb

• • • Only CCC Payment Rates Apply
      • Catfish:                               $0.07/lb
      • Hybrid Striped Bass         $0.25/lb
      • Red Drum:                         $0.24/lb
      • Sturgeon:                           $0.29/lb
      • Tilapia:                               $0.16/lb
      • Trout:                                  $0.11/lb

CFAP Resources

More information, including application and eligibility forms, can be found on https://www.farmers.gov/cfap.

You can also contact a K·Coe Farm Program Services advisor with any questions regarding CFAP eligibility or applicability.

For producers who have not worked with FSA previously, it is recommended to call FSA at 877-508-8364 or contact K·Coe Farm Program Services to begin the application process.