UPDATE AS OF 3/2/2021:

Extension for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

The appropriations act that passed in December included 1 billion for payments to contract livestock and poultry growers to cover no more than 80% of revenue losses during 2020. In January, the Department of Agriculture announced details of the CFAP 2 and set February 26, 2021 as the deadline for applications. However, due to the administration’s Regulatory Freeze Pending Review on all new and pending executive actions, there was a hold on processing CFAP 2 payments while the deadline remained.

Fortunately, the deadline of February 26 has been eliminated and USDA’s Farm Service Agencies will continue to accept applications during the evaluation period. Interested applicants will have at least an additional 30 days to sign up after any decision is announced.

The review of the CFAP is ongoing and the decision regarding the program will be made in the coming weeks. Payments that were made under the CFAP 2 signup that ended December have not been impacted in any way. For more information, please contact your Farm Service Agency.
 
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Within President Biden’s first week in office, his administration issued a regulatory freeze that included a temporary pause on processing and payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2).  

While this review is causing delays in agency operation, it is important to note that this does not cancel the program. Eligible farmers can still sign up for the CFAP 2 funding. This application cycle is especially important for contract growers that were included in the second round of CFAP payments. Farmers who raise animals under a contract for another entity that owns those animals could not participate in CFAP 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has clarified that contract producers of broilers, turkey, chicken eggs, laying hens, and hog who suffered a drop in revenue are eligible to apply.  

Newly eligible producers who need to submit a new application or producers who need to modify an existing one must do so by February 26. More information regarding the program and how to apply can be found here.