Additional pandemic aid will benefit California farmers and ranchers

SACRAMENTO – The release of a second round of federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program aid represents encouraging news, the California Farm Bureau Federation said, especially because the program has been expanded to include crops not covered in earlier versions of the program.

The U.S. Agriculture Department announced signups began Sept. 21, for CFAP 2, which will make up to $14 billion in additional aid available to farmers and ranchers who have seen their markets disrupted and production costs increased by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has affected practically the entire agricultural system, and the second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program aid reflects that,” CFBF president Jamie Johansson said. “Almost without exception, California farmers and ranchers have seen markets for their products disrupted and costs to harvest their products rise.”

Johansson welcomed changes in CFAP 2 that include more crops and commodities.

“From the inception of CFAP, we have advocated for aid for the full range of crops and commodities grown in California. Finally, in this round, crops such as wine grapes, table grapes, raisins and pima cotton have been added to the list of those eligible for assistance,” he said.

“We appreciate the administration’s flexibility in adjusting CFAP to make it available to a wider range of farmers and ranchers in a wider range of circumstances,” Johansson said.

Applications for CFAP 2 will conclude Dec. 11. Full information about eligible commodities and the application process may be found on the USDA website at http://farmers.gov/cfap.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 34,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.

Submitted by California Farm Bureau Federation.