USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 24 Pandemic Assistance for Producers (PAP). The new initiative will bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 passed by Congress in December 2020 included additional Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) assistance of $20 per acre for producers of eligible crops, including corn. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will automatically issue payments to eligible producers based on the eligible acres included on their CFAP 2 applications. These payments should start being distributed this month.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act also granted USDA with the authority to provide support for ethanol producers who were impacted by a drop in ethanol demand. USDA is expected to share details of this assistance in a proposed rule likely to be released in the next few months.

USDA will be holding a webinar this Thursday, at 2:00 p.m. EDT to cover changes made under PAP for CFAP applicants, CFAP 2 program basics, and resources to assist with sign up. Registration is available online.

For additional details on the PAP initiative and CFAP assistance, visit farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance.