Agricultural Business Management News

Dig In Finances Podcast #3:  CFAP 2.0 With the announcement of second-round Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2), Megan Roberts discusses what Minnesota farmers should know for the Monday, September 21 sign-up opening. Megan Roberts is an experienced Extension Educator who has been closely following agriculture legislative policies and their impact on Minnesota farmers.   Transcript of Episode 3 Episode Highlights: 0:25 - Introduction to CFAP 2 1:46 - How to Enroll  2:41 - Changes in Eligible Commodities "So it's really important if you weren't eligible in CFAP1 to go back and relook to see if now, perhaps you are eligible." 6:04 - Resources for Legislative Updates 7:01 - Final Thoughts on CFAP 2 "I think it's just important to determine whether you are eligible and then to go through that process of getting signed up. As we continue to move through fall and this really challenging time during COVID-19, I'm sure there will be other programs to

 by Megan Roberts, Extension educator The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the second round of direct farmer assistance, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) , on September 18, 2020. Sign up for CFAP 2 begins with Farm Service Agency (FSA) on Monday September 21, 2020 and concludes Friday, December 11, 2020. (Sign-up for the original program, CFAP 1, ended September 11.) The wide-reaching program covers hundreds of commodities, including specialty and non-specialty crops and livestock. Funding for CFAP 2 comes from the authority of the Commodity Credit Corp (CCC) Charter Act. CCC funds were replenished through the CARES Act back in March 2020. USDA estimates distributing a total of $14 billion in ad-hoc direct payments to producers nationwide through CFAP 2.  Row crops, wool, livestock, specialty livestock, dairy, specialty crops, floriculture and nursery crops, aquaculture, broilers and eggs, and tobacco are all commodities included in CFAP 2 .