Sep
Important Updates to Pandemic Assistance For “Sales Commodity” Producers
USDA made two important announcements on Aug. 24, 2021 for assistance to “sales commodity” producers under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). “Sales commodities” include fruits, vegetables, maple sap, honey, Christmas trees, shellfish and tobacco.
Originally under CFAP2, the payments were based upon 2019 calendar year sales of eligible “sales commodity” crops. USDA announced an amendment to the CFAP 2 payment
calculation for “sales commodities” to allow producers to substitute 2018 sales for 2019 sales. Producers are encouraged to take a look at their 2018 sales and to contact their USDA FSA Office to modify their CFAP 2 application if using the 2018 sales would result in a higher payment. Similarly if a producer hasn’t filed a CFAP 2 application for sales commodities, those producers now have the option of using either 2018 or 2019 sales.
USDA also announced the final deadline for filing a new or modified CFAP 2 application with the USDA-FSA as Oct. 12, 2021.
Producers are encouraged to contact the FSA Office that serves their farming operation with questions they have along with procedures to file a new or modified application and related paperwork. Producers should call their FSA Office before visiting the FSA Office since FSA may have restrictions in place for in-person office visits. Sales records are not required at the time of signup but producers will have to provide evidence of total sales if the application is selected for a later spot-check.
As of Aug. 22, 2021, 1,260 approved CFAP 2 “Sales Commodities”applicants in Massachusetts have received $27,698,404 in payments. For all categories, 1,600 applicants have received $31,169,429.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Detailed information also can be found at: https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus/pandemicassistance/cfap2
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28588. UMass Extension works in partnership with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center to educate Massachusetts producers about Federal Crop Insurance and USDA Disaster Assistance Programs. For more information, please contact UMass Risk
Management Specialists Paul Russell at [email protected] or Tom Smiarowski at [email protected]