Producers will be able to submit applications that
include these commodities on Monday, July 13, 2020. USDA’s Farm
Service Agency (FSA) is accepting through Aug. 28, 2020,
applications for CFAP, which helps offset price declines and
additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. USDA
expects additional eligible commodities to be announced in the
coming weeks.
USDA collected comments and supporting data for consideration of
additional commodities through June 22, 2020.
Changes to CFAP include:
Adding the following commodities: alfalfa sprouts, anise, arugula,
basil, bean sprouts, beets, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, celeriac
(celery root), chives, cilantro, coconuts, collard greens, dandelion
greens, greens (others not listed separately), guava, kale greens,
lettuce – including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green,
oak leaf red and red leaf – marjoram, mint, mustard, okra, oregano,
parsnips, passion fruit, peas (green), pineapple, pistachios,
radicchio, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, fresh sugarcane, Swiss
chard, thyme and turnip top greens.
Expanding for seven currently eligible commodities – apples,
blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines and taro –
CARES Act funding for sales losses because USDA found these
commodities had a 5 percent or greater price decline between
mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing
adjustments.
Determining that peaches and rhubarb no longer qualify for payment
under the CARES Act sales loss category.
Correcting payment rates for apples, artichokes, asparagus,
blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms,
papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines and
taro.
Additional details can be found in the Federal Register in the
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Final Rule Correction and
at www.farmers.gov/cfap.
Producers have several options for applying to the
CFAP program:
1) Using an online portal, accessible at farmers.gov/cfap,
allows producers with secure USDA login credentials—known as
eAuthentication—to certify eligible commodities online, digitally
sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service
Center. New commodities will be available in the system on July 13,
2020.
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2) Completing the application form using our
CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator found at
farmers.gov/cfap. This Excel workbook allows customers to input
information specific to their operation to determine estimated
payments and populate the application form, which can be printed,
then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center. An
updated version with the new commodities will be available on the
website on July 13, 2020.
3) Downloading the AD-3114 application form from farmers.gov/cfap
and manually completing the form to submit to the local USDA Service
Center by mail, electronically or by hand delivery to an office drop
box. In some limited cases, the office may be open for in-person
business by appointment. Visit farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status
to check the status of your local office.
USDA Service Centers can also work with producers to complete and
securely transmit digitally signed applications through two
commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. Producers who are
interested in digitally signing their applications should notify
their local service centers when calling to discuss the CFAP
application process. You can learn more about theses solutions at
farmers.gov/mydocs.
Getting Help from FSA
New customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP application
process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee
ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step
before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their
local USDA Service Center.
All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross
income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap.
For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on
file.
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