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Ag groups ask USDA to extend CFAP deadline

American Farm Bureau is among nearly 30 ag groups asking the USDA to extend the application deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

In a letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, the groups say the funding approved through the CARES Act is providing much-needed support, but they are concerned the August 28^th deadline may exclude eligible producers from participating in CFAP.

The letter also encourages USDA to increase producer and stakeholder engagement initiatives to make sure eligible producers participate.

The 499,000 applications received represent only 24 percent of all farm operations and several commodities have extremely low participation rates including tomatoes at six percent and apples at 10 percent. 

AFBF President Zippy Duvall says the fact that there is still money available should not lead anyone to believe the needs of US farmers have been met. He says farmers and ranchers are still struggling and the pandemic is far from over.

Other groups that signed the letter include: Agricultural Retailers Association, American Seed Trade Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Milk Producers Federation, National Sorghum Producers, U.S. Apple Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, and more.