According to the USDA, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is open to farmers and ranchers regardless of size or market outlet if they suffered an eligible loss. “We also looked ahead to help provide additional assistance with costs and disruption of markets in the month ahead,” said Sonny Perdue, agriculture secretary, USDA. “We know the disruption of markets and demand are significant and these payments will only cover a portion of the impacts on farmers and ranchers.” Not all demands and requests are met in this initial request. “Many people will feel like this is insufficient, but we’re doing everything we can to cover all farmers. We’ll have to see where the gaps are in order to address later on.” USDA will begin sign-up early next month. For direct payments, Perdue said many farmers can fill out applications to apply at their local Farm Service Agency offices. Specialty crop growers with no production history will likely work with the Agricultural Marketing Service. Payments to producers are expected by the end of May or early June.
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