The USDA announced Tuesday that it would extend the application deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
The deadline is now September 11, two weeks later than the original deadline of August 28. The decision comes after the American Farm Bureau Federation and 27 other agriculture groups sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue last week.
In addition to the deadline extension, the USDA also made several new commodities available for CFAP funding.
“We thank USDA for responding quickly to our letter and addressing the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers as they fight to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has taken its toll on farmers across the country, regardless of what they grow or raise. No one can tell when this pandemic will end, and extending the deadline and expanding eligibility will provide a lifeline at a time it’s needed most,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Many hard-working farm families have not gone through federal programs before and need help navigating their way through the process. We’re working to ensure farmers who now qualify for aid are made aware that it is available to them, and we encourage the USDA to expand its outreach efforts to do the same.”