Special to the Herald Times
RBC I The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to assist producers who have suffered price decreases due to COVID-19 by offering financial assistance. The application deadline is Sept. 11, 2020.
Eligible producers are any producer that raises USDA-specified commodities, has suffered a 5% or greater price decline due to the pandemic, and who faces substantial marketing costs for inventories. Producers must also have an average adjusted gross income under $900,000 for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
USDA-specified commodities include:
• Non-specialty crops such as oats, corn, and wheat; crops intended for grazing are ineligible.
• Specialty crops like sweet corn, peaches, and potatoes
• Wool
• Livestock: hogs, cattle, and sheep only
• Dairy: dumped milk production
• Nursery Crop and Cut Flowers
• Aquaculture: certain species only
• Eggs: liquid and frozen
Other eligibility standards include- livestock animals sold between Jan. 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020 (first part of the payment), as well as the producer’s highest livestock inventory between April 15, 2020 and May 14, 2020 (second payment part) will be used. Eligible non-specialty crops and wool payments are based on 2019 production that had not been sold as of Jan. 15, 2020.
The Rio Blanco County FSA is based out of Craig. Meetings in Meeker are by appointment only. The phone number for the Craig FSA Office is 970-329-3155. More information on the program and price lists can be found at www.farmers.gov/cfap. The Craig FSA asks that producers contact their office for assistance filling out all applications. The deadline for all CFAP applications in Sept. 11, 2020.
