According to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesmeyer, funding for agriculture within the coronavirus stimulus package passed on Friday is a cash flow lifeline. The legislation includes an additional $9.5 billion for USDA to support local food providers and specialty crop and livestock producers. “The measure boosts the Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing authority by as much as $14 billion. That’s a clear signal, to me at least, that later on sometime this summer there will be another announcement of a program similar to, but named different, than the Market Facilitation Program.” Wiesmeyer says the program will most likely be more expansive and flexible, covering more crops and livestock. The other recent COVID-19 development for agriculture is the U.S. Department of State granting interview waivers for H-2 program workers. “It allows waiver of in-person interviews on a first time and returning basis that have no apparent or potential ineligibility.” Wiesmeyer shares more insight in this RRFN interview.
