COVID-19 Guide
The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for nearly everyone. At Farmers’ Legal Action Group, our top priority is supporting family farmers and their communities so that farmers can stay on the land. Although our offices are closed to the public during this crisis, FLAG’s attorneys and staff are working full time to help farm families face the stresses of dealing with COVID-19 and its legal and financial consequences.
For free legal services and support, farmers can call our national toll-free hotline at 877-860-4349.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) 3rd Edition, September 30, 2021
DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR CFAP 2 WAS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has released a new publication, Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) 3rd Edition. CFAP 2 is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that gives direct payments to farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This 3rd Edition includes recent changes to the program that expand the eligibility of contract growers to include producers of ducks, geese, pheasants, and quail, as well as producers of hogs, pigs, broilers, pullets, layers, chicken eggs, and turkeys. In addition, the 3rd Edition explains the recent changes to how CFAP 2 payments are calculated, including a change that allows farmers to substitute their 2018 sales and indemnities for their 2019 sales and indemnities. This change is beneficial for farmers who had a higher production in 2018 than 2019.
The original signup period for CFAP 2 began on September 21, 2020, and ended on December 11, 2020. The signup period was reopened on April 5, 2021. This is the final deadline to sign up for CFAP 2 – October 12, 2021.
This Guide, and any of its updated successors, can be found at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP-2) 3rd Edition September 30, 2021
Farmers’ Guide to the 2021 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – March 31, 2021
FLAG has released a new publication, Farmers’ Guide to the 2021 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The deadline to sign up for PPP is now May 31, 2021, so it is not too late to apply. The new Guide explains the important recent changes to PPP that affect farmers. For example, PPP rules now allow farmers to receive two different PPP loans, what the program calls “first draw PPP loans” and “second draw PPP loans.” In addition, farmers can use gross income, not net profit, as the basis of a loan. The Guide describes these and other rules, such as farmer eligibility for PPP loans, in detail. The Guide also explains how farmers can go about getting PPP loans forgiven, and how to go forward if a loan is denied or if loan forgiveness is denied.
Farmers’ Guide to the 2021 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 1st Edition – March 31, 2021
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief, 3rd Edition – August 4, 2020
Announcing the third edition of our Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief, published on August 4, 2020. The First Edition of the Guide was published on April 13, 2020. The Second Edition was published on April 27, 2020. Due to changes in the programs, the Second Edition is quite different than the First Edition. The Third Edition updates the same topics that were covered in the Second Edition. In places, such as the chapter on the CARES Act SBA programs, the changes in the Third Edition are significant. Several of the programs discussed in this Guide are the product of the CARES Act—technically known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act became law on March 27, 2020. In addition, this Guide covers changes to the CARES Act programs that were made in more recent legislation. Despite this additional legislation, and in some cases because of it, many parts of the law of COVID-19 relief remains confusing, and changes in the programs continue. This Guide also addresses various other topics and programs that have been established in response to COVID-19 and which are likely to impact farmers.
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (3rd Edition) August 4, 2020
Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers – updated October 2021
Here is an updated summary of COVID-19 relief for farmers, including information about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) deadline.
DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR CFAP 2 IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021.
This summary is published in collaboration with our partners at Farm Aid, the Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Rural Advancement Foundation-International, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Navigation COVID Relief for Farmers updated October 2021 – English
Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers – updated February 2021
Here is an updated summary of COVID-19 relief for farmers, published in collaboration with our partners at Farm Aid, the Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Rural Advancement Foundation-International, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Navigating COVID Relief for Farmers updated February 2021 – Spanish
ARCHIVED COVID-19 RESOURCES
The editions below are out of date. They are not current and should not be relied upon for information about existing programs. These editions are maintained in FLAG’s archives for historical purposes, and for reference during farmer appeals from adverse agency decisions, for helping guide new policy, or other relevant matters. Current editions of these or related guides, if they exist, can be found on FLAG’s website at www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2), 2nd Edition – June 17, 2021 (Archived)
This 2nd Edition is now archived. Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has released a new publication, Farmers’ Guide to The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) 2nd Edition. CFAP 2 is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that gives direct payments to farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This 2nd Edition includes recent changes to the program introduced by the 2021 Appropriations Act. For example, some farmers, such as many contract producers and farmers who raise pullets, are newly eligible for CFAP 2. The original application period for CFAP 2 ran from September 21, 2020, through December 11, 2020. USDA reopened the CFAP 2 signup on April 5, 2021, and it remains open today, with USDA yet to set a close date. This Guide, and any of its updated successors, can be found at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers Guide to 2021 CFAP Changes – Contract Farmers and Others (1st Edition) February 18, 2021 (Archived)
This 1st Edition is now archived. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that gives direct payments to farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This Guide focuses on recent changes to CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 introduced by the 2021 Appropriations Act, and on other recent changes made by USDA. While the main deadlines for both versions of CFAP have passed, USDA recently announced important changes to CFAP that directly affect many farmers. Some farmers, such as many contract producers, are newly eligible for CFAP 2. Further, an extension of deadlines means that many farmers may still apply for or amend their applications for CFAP 2.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) 1st Edition, November 11, 2020 (Archived)
This 1st Edition is now archived. On November 11, 2020, Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) published the Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). CFAP 2 is a completely different program than the first CFAP program, now called CFAP 1. The Farmers’ Guide is a detailed explanation of how CFAP 2 works. This Guide, and any of its updated successors, can be found at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 3rd Edition
This 3rd Edition is now archived. On October 23, 2020, Farmers’ Legal Action Group published an updated Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). There have been a number of changes to the CFAP program since the first edition of this Guide was published on May 29, 2020 and since our second edition of this Guide was published on June 7th, 2020. This Third Edition of the Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) describes the two main aspects of CFAP—the component of CFAP that provides direct payments to farmers (what this Guide calls the CFAP direct payments program, or CFAP for short) and the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. This guide, any of its updated successors, and archived previous editions can be found at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2nd edition – June 17, 2020 (Archived)
This 2nd Edition is now archived. On June 17, 2020, Farmers’ Legal Action Group published an updated Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). There have been a number of changes to the CFAP program since the first edition of this Guide was published on May 29, 2020. These include a new Handbook that USDA released that governs CFAP, and new rules in the Federal Register. That has meant changes to commodity eligibility, for example, and to the sort of documents that USDA expects farmers to have when they apply for CFAP. Some of the changes, unfortunately, have been confusing and contradictory. In addition, this Second Edition of the Guide includes more information on the possibility of farmer appeals of USDA decisions on CFAP, as well as on USDA’s discrimination complaint process. This guide, and any of its updated successors, is available at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 1st edition – May 29, 2020 (Archived)
This 1st edition of this Guide is now archived. Announcing the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This Farmers’ Guide to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provides a description of the two main aspects of CFAP—the CFAP Direct Payments Program and the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
This guide will focus on how these programs can provide relief to farmers. This guide, and any of its updated successors, is available at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 1st Edition May 29, 2020 (Archived)
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (2nd Edition) April 27, 2020 – April 27, 2020 (Archived)
This 2nd Edition is now archived. On April 27, 2020, Farmers’ Legal Action Group published an updated Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief. This update reflects program changes and additions signed into law on April 24, 2020 to provide further economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the programs discussed in this Guide are the product of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This guide, and any of its updated successors, is available at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (2nd Edition) April 27, 2020 (Archived)
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (1st Edition) – April 14, 2020
This 1st Edition is now archived. Announcing the Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief. Several of the programs discussed in this Guide are the product of the CARES Act—technically known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act became law on March 27, 2020. This guide will focus on how these various programs can provide relief to farmers. Check FLAG’s website (flaginc.org) for updates as the pandemic and farmer relief unfolds. This Guide, and any of its updated successors, can be found at http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/.
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (1st Edition) April 14, 2020 (Archived)
