Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

This Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provides a description of the two main aspects of CFAP—the component of CFAP that provides direct payments to farmers (what this Guide calls the CFAP direct payments program, or simply CFAP for short) and the Farmers to Families Food Box Program

Farm Aid COVID Resilience Initiative Partner Guide

Farm Aid is grateful for your partnership in distributing support to farm families affected by the challenging circumstances sparked by COVID-19 through our COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative. This guide offers recommendations for best practices in establishing and reviewing grant applications, disbursing funds, and our requirements for reporting on your work. We know this is not an insignificant endeavor. We are here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out as you pull together your process.

Thank you again for being part of the COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative.

Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers

This guide was created to help you navigate the challenging circumstances sparked by COVID-19. Assistance from federal and state programs can make a difference for farmers in this crisis. The pages outline current relief programs related to COVID-19 and how they apply to farmers. As you review the programs that may be of help to you, the following issues are important to remember.

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic?

https://www.farmers.gov/cfap

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide $16 billion in direct support to agricultural producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19 Beginning May 26, USDA's Farm Service Agency will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses. The application form and a payment calculator for producers will be available online once signup begins. A video preview of the payment calculatoris are currently available.

To learn more about CFAP, download the final rule, a notice of funding availability, and cost-benefit analysis 9.

As a complement to the CSU Webinar on Monday June 1st, we are also organizing a townhall focusing on Q&A, on Tuesday June 2nd at 4:30 pm for a more interactive discussion with farmers and ranchers on eligibility and application logistics for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

This discussion with CSU Food Systems Extension leaders is open to all, and we also have an invite to USDA staff to enrich the discussion.

Join us Tuesday, June 2nd from 4:30-5:30 pm. To attend, please use this link on https://zoom.us/j/97520494696

Topics to be discussed include

Eligibility for CFAP relief funds;
CFAP details (signup procedures and required documents);
Colorado efforts to provide farmer relief funds; and
Ongoing federal policy discussions to support the agriculture sector.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would make up to $1 billion available in loan guarantees to help rural businesses and agricultural producers—including cooperatives—meet their working capital needs as they navigate the impacts of COVID-19.

Join NCBA CLUSA, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and USDA's Acting Administrator of Rural Business-Cooperative Service Mark Brodziski and Deputy Undersecretary of Rural Development Bette Brand on Monday, June 1 from 2-3 pm EDT to learn whether you meet the criteria for this program.

During this webinar, you'll hear an overview of the new USDA Business & Industry CARES Act Program, and learn the requirements for lenders and borrowers. Find out if your cooperative is eligible to apply!

This webinar will feature the following presenters:
• Doug O'Brien, President and CEO, NCBA CLUSA
• Chuck Conner, President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
• Bette Brand, Deputy Undersecretary of Rural Development, USDA
• Mark Brodziski, Acting Administrator of Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA

Opportunities for questions will be provided at the end of the presentation.

Innovative ideas for a business/nonprofit, or finance technical assistance or equipment needed due to your new approach (e.g. marketing help, financial planning) in the San Luis Valley?

The First Southwest Community Fund SLV Innovation Assistance Awards in partnership with Startup Colorado and The Colorado Trust. These are $2000 awards designed to highlight businesses and nonprofits in the San Luis Valley who have taken a creative and innovative approach towards surviving the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or provide funding to those who would like to implement an innovative idea.

Award money can be used to help execute a new and innovative idea for a business/nonprofit, or finance technical assistance or equipment needed due to your new approach (e.g. marketing help, financial planning).

Please spread the word! The deadline is June 4th. Flier attached and apply here: https://www.fswcf.org/iaa

Use this Regional Statewide Meal Assessment guide to find the regions and their associated counties.