It’s been one month since the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program sign-up began. In that time, the USDA distributed $4 billion of the $16 billion available in direct payments. Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce said the program is in a good place. “It’s been an all-hands-on-deck approach taking farmer’s applications during the coronavirus and getting payments to producers.” Of the $4 billion already distributed, three states in the Northern Plains have received a combined total of more than $525 million. As of June 22, qualifying Minnesota farmers have been paid more than $251 million, South Dakota farmers were paid more than $200 million and North Dakota farmers at $75.8 million. The commodities that didn’t qualify had a chance to plead their case. The USDA received more than 1,000 notices and now, the agency will review. “Folks should be expecting an answer in a matter of weeks,” said Fordyce. “We want to do this as quickly as we can, but also want to get it right.” Congress has also allocated more Commodity Credit Corporation funds that the USDA could use to provide more direct payments. Those funds become available in July. Fordyce said no decisions have been made on an expansion yet. Without additional funds, it could be a challenge to stretch current monies to cover losses outside of the first quarter and part of the second quarter. CFAP sign-up continues through August. Hear the interview.