WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/4/2020]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is urging Minnesota producers who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic crisis to submit applications for assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11, 2020. This USDA program provides direct relief to producers for eligible commodities.
Sen. Smith said that many commodities grown or raised by Minnesota producers are eligible. This includes corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets, wild rice, apples, dairy, turkey, beef, hogs and pigs, and more.
“2020 has been a deeply challenging year as we navigate the public health and economic crisis of COVID,” said Sen. Smith. “A Minnesota farmer said to me a few months back that with COVID, we are all in the same storm, but not all in the same boat. This gets at how we are all affected by COVID, and everyone’s been affected by it in different ways. I feel a lot of urgency to help provide some certainty and predictability for Minnesota producers. I hope that they consider applying for this program, and I want them to know that I’ll keep fighting to get them additional relief.”
Producers can find eligible commodities, payment rates, calculations and options to apply on farmers.gov/cfap. Producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office. The call center can provide service to non-English speaking customers. CFAP 2 is a separate program from the first iteration of CFAP, now referred to as CFAP 1. Participating in CFAP 1 is not a prerequisite for participating in CFAP 2. Additionally, producers who applied for CFAP 1 will not be automatically enrolled in CFAP 2 and must complete a new application to be eligible for assistance.
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