Update as of August 25, 2021
The USDA announced new updates to the Pandemic assistance program titled the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops, such as walnuts, and other sales-based commodities.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set an October 12, 2021 deadline for all eligible producers to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2.
The USDA is amending the CFAP 2 payment calculation for sales-based commodities, which includes specialty crops, such as walnuts, to allow producers to substitute 2018 sales for 2019 sales. Previously, payments for these producers were based only on 2019 sales, with 2019 used as an approximation of the amount the producer would have expected to market in 2020. Giving producers the option to substitute 2018 sales for this approximation, including 2018 crop insurance indemnities and 2018 crop year Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) payments, provides additional flexibility to producers of sales-based commodities who had reduced sales in 2019.
Newly eligible producers who need to submit a CFAP 2 application or producers who need to modify an existing one can do so by contacting their local FSA office. Producers can find their local FSA office by visiting farmers.gov/service-locator.
Producers can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364. All new and modified CFAP 2 applications are due by the October 12 deadline.
For additional details, please view the Farm Service Agency Press releases here https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2021/usda-updates-pandemic-assistance-for-livestock-poultry-contract-producers-and-specialty-crop-growers&source=gmail-imap&ust=1630596683000000&usg=AOvVaw1JmPGxnhMikk0xUi2YlNih>.
USDA announced on January 15, 2021, additional assistance to agricultural producers and commodities by expanding eligibility under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) as well as updating payments to some producers who had already applied.
For more information, please visit https://www.farmers.gov/cfap or contact your local FSA offices.
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On September 18, 2020 the USDA announced the details of the second Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be administering the program and will begin accepting applications Monday, September 21 through December 11, 2020.
FSA hosted a webinar on October 1st, 2020 to go over the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.0 (CFAP 2). The webinar was designed to help growers learn more about CFAP 2 and how to apply for this assistance.
Growers who missed the webinar can view the recording by clicking on the link below:
Presentation Agenda:
* PowerPoint overview of CFAP 2
* Q & A
Walnuts are part of the specialty crops in the Sales Commodities category. Payment calculations will use a sales-based approach, where producers are paid based on five payment gradations associated with their calendar year 2018 sales. More details are available at Farmers.gov/cfap
On August 11, 2020, USDA announced additional commodities eligible for the CFAP funding under category #1. Following strong efforts by the California Walnut Commission and industry members, walnuts were included in the list of the additional eligible commodities after not being included in the initial list.
Per the announcement, walnut growers will be eligible for a payment of $0.26/lb of sale losses under category #1. Only the losses, as certified by respective handler(s), during the period of January 15, 2020 to April 15, 2020, will be considered. USDA has now extended the application deadline to September 11, 2020.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) organized a webinar on August 14, 2020, for the industry to provide details on application requirements. Links to the webinar presentation and recording can be found below. Growers are encouraged to review the worksheets on the website, under the box labeled ‘CFAP Applications Generator and Payment Calculator’. In the webinar, the FSA team walked everyone through them. The link can be found here: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap
Here are links to the presentation and recording.
On May 19, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the details of direct assistance to farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses. You can find your local FSA office by visiting:
https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ca&agency=fsa
New FSA customers should contact 877-508-8364 to work one on one with FSA staff to become established.
A: Yes. Payments to producers are based on three categories of losses listed above. Walnuts are included in all of the categories.
Walnuts
0.26
0.34
250.60
Commodity
Walnuts
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CARES Act Payment Rate for Product that left the farm but spoiled due to loss of marketing channel ($/lb)
0.45
CCC Payment Rate ($/lb)
0.09
