The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced that sign-up has reopened for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

The initial CFAP 2 signup ended on Dec. 11, 2020, but USDA has reopened sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning April 5, for producers to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.

CFAP 2 program provides direct financial relief to producers due to market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.

“Most of the crops and livestock raised in Mississippi, including many of them raised in our area, are eligible commodities for this program,” said CED Rebecca O. McKenzie, county executive director for FSA in Jefferson Davis—Lawrence County.

“If you missed getting an application in last fall, you now have the opportunity to apply for assistance. Our staff will help you through the application process.”

Row crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, aquaculture and more all are eligible for the CFAP 2, including the recent addition of pullets and turfgrass sod.

Producers are encouraged to visit farmers.gov/cfap to review eligible commodities and learn about the payment structure for each. CFAP 2 is a separate program from the first iteration of the program (CFAP 1) and interested producers must complete a new application to be eligible for payment for CFAP 2.

CED McKenzie said producers are encouraged to call the Jefferson Davis – Lawrence County FSA office at (601) 792-8601, ext. 2 for guidance on the process to complete an application.

Additional CFAP payments for beef and row-crop producers are also available.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, authorizes an increase in CFAP 1 payment rates for cattle. Cattle producers with approved CFAP 1 application will automatically receive these payments and do not need to submit a new application since payments are based on previously approved CFAP 1 application.

Information on the additional payment rates for cattle can be found on farmers.gov/cfap.

This act also authorized additional CFAP assistance of $20 per acre for producers of eligible CFAP 2 flat-rate or price trigger commodities.

FSA will automatically issue payments to eligible producers based on the eligible acres included on their CFAP 2 applications. Eligible producers do not need to submit a new CFAP 2 application.

Additional payments for swine producers and contract growers under CFAP Additional Assistance remain on hold and are likely to require modifications to the regulation as part of the broader evaluation and future assistance; however, FSA will continue to accept applications from interested producers.

Contact your Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.