November 15, 2019

USDA Issues Second Tranche of Market Facilitation Program

USDA announced today the second allocation of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to farmers who have been impacted by the trade wars. The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. Producers of MFP-eligible commodities will now be eligible to receive 25% of the total payment expected, in addition to the 50% they have already received from the 2019 MFP. If conditions warrant, the third allotment will be made in January 2020.

MFP signup at local FSA offices will run through Friday, December 6, 2019. MFP payments will be made to producers of almonds, cranberries, fresh grapes, fresh sweet cherries, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts. Each specialty crop will receive a payment based on 2019 acres of fruit or nut bearing plants.

MFP payments are limited to a combined $250,000 for specialty crop producers. Eligible applicants must also have an average adjusted gross income (AGI) for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017 of less than $900,000 unless at least 75 percent of the person’s or legal entity’s AGI is derived from farming-related activities.

For more information, visit the MFP website. To apply, download the MFP application and submit the completed form to your local FSA county office in person or by fax, mail or email.