by: Sarah Dyer
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences | Dade County UGA Extension
The USDA FSA has released the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which provides payment to eligible farmers who have been affected by the 2020 pandemic. The application opens Tuesday, May 26th and will run through August 28th. You must complete the application process by August 28th, so don’t wait until the last day to begin the process. The entire application process is through the USDA FSA, not our Extension office. Our local FSA office is in Lafayette and the number is 706-638-1558 ext 2. They are limiting customers to appointment only, so be sure to call and schedule before making the trip to the office. Ask to speak and meet with either Christy or Chalee.
I will provide a brief overview below, but you can find the full details of the program by going to the official website: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap
Cattle (2 parts):
Part A – Cattle producers that sold cattle between January 15th, 2020 and April 15th, 2020 are eligible. This can be cattle sold at the sale barn or to your neighbor down the road, as long as you have a receipt. Receipts will be requested at your appointment with FSA during the application process.
Part B – Cattle producers who have owned cattle (inventory) between April 16th, 2020 and May 14th, 2020 are eligible. Pick 1 day in that time period where you had the greatest number of head and report that number. This includes all cattle (cows, calves, bulls).
Hogs and Sheep: Hog and sheep producers are also eligible for the program, but all sheep must be less than 2 years old.
Goats: Goats were not included in the original plan for the program but may be added soon because there have been continued meetings this week regarding the program and goats were up for discussion in these meetings.
Crops: Row crop producers are eligible for the program if they had any inventory held over past January 15th, 2020 that was from the previous 2019 production year.
Please note that this is not a complete list of eligibility and details. Please reference the website or call our local FSA representatives for more information.
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