Articles tagged under: coronavirus
MN Farmers Must Have a Coronavirus Plan in Place
Published June 29, 2020
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is requiring all Minnesota farmers to have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in place by today, June 29. The plan must comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health coronavirus…CFAP Applications Now Being Accepted Online
Published June 25, 2020
The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting Coronavirus Food Assistance Program applications via an online portal. The agency will also use commercial document storage and e-signature solutions so farmers and ranchers can complete CFAP applications from home. Producers who wish…Potato Industry Submits Formal CFAP Feedback to USDA
Published June 24, 2020
Monday was the deadline for commodity groups to plead their case to be part of the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. In a Notice of Funding Availability, the National Potato Council said the industry faces an unprecedented crisis due to…Evaluating the First Month of CFAP Sign-Up
Published June 24, 2020
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…Food Box Program Reaches Milestone
Published June 23, 2020
The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 20 million food boxes. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said this milestone is a testament that the program is accomplishing what was intended. The program is…A Change in Outlook for U.S. Processing Potatoes
Published June 22, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some uncertainty surrounding the demand for frozen potato products and as a result, process potato growers reduced planted acres. Now, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Marketing and Communications Director Ted Kreis said processors see demand…New COVID-19 Relief Negotiations to Pick Up in July
Published June 19, 2020
Ag lobbyist Jim Callan says discussions on a new COVID-19 relief package will likely pick up in July. "I think many in Congress, particularly Senate Republicans, want to see the impacts of the previous COVID-19 related relief package take effect,…Strengthening Connections During COVID-19
Published June 12, 2020
Minnesota Representative Angie Craig hosted a virtual panel discussion Wednesday on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenyon, Minnesota farmer Keith Allen, who is a Minnesota Farm Bureau director, said one positive from the pandemic is the relationship between farmers…No Quick Solution for Packers or Pork Producers
Published June 12, 2020
According to Kerns and Associates economist Steve Meyer, the idle capacity of pork processing plants is at 11.3 percent, the lowest number seen in recent weeks. However, progress is starting to slow. "We speculated that the early days of recovery…