The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the application deadline for Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments due to the partial federal shutdown that has closed many Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices across the country.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on Tuesday that the initial January 15, 2019, deadline will be extended “for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices were closed” once the government shutdown comes to an end. Additionally, Perdue urges Congress to increase its efforts in passing a funding bill President Trump will sign in order to return full agency services to farmers.
Within USDA’s trade mitigation package, MFP is the direct payment program that includes designated funds for eligible almond and cherry growers impacted by retaliatory tariff increases from China. Farmers who have already successfully applied for program funds and certified their 2018 production will continue to receive payments.
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