USDA has reopened signups for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) as of April 5, 2021. As part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.
CFAP 2 provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the eligible commodities are specialty crops and nursery crops. The initial CFAP 2 signup ended on Dec. 11, 2020.
The payments will go out under the existing CFAP rules with a handful of tweaks. Specifically, USDA will make it easier for farmers and ranchers to file for CFAP. USDA will pull in different data sets than last year, such as now factoring in federal crop insurance payments as part of the sales data against which producers can claim.
Visit farmers.gov/cfap for details on all eligible commodities, producer eligibility, payment limitations and structure and additional program resources.
Producers have multiple options to apply for CFAP 2, including through an online application portal and by working directly with the FSA office at their local USDA Service Center. Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office.