Important COVID-19 Pandemic Updates for Farms and Farm Families

Below are important updates for farms and farm families related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Coronavirus Food Assistance Act (CFAP). Updated information on direct farm payments is now available on farmers.gov/cfap.   Program sign up begins next Tuesday, May 26 and runs thru August 28.   Details on payment rates, eligibility, and records needed for the application are on the website.  An online application and payment calculator will be posted soon to help streamline the application process.  Farmers should call their county Farm Service Agency office ASAP to schedule a sign-up appointment phone call (715-258-7162 in Waupaca).  See attachment or click this link Direct payment for Dairy Farmers to see examples of how dairy farm payments are calculated.  Note, direct farm payments are also available to all farms, including grain, livestock (beef, sheep, hogs), fruits and vegetable producers who suffered a price decline of at least 5% between mid-January and mid-April.  Don’t wait, contact FSA to schedule and appointment.
  • How to Prioritize Debt Payments and “debt obligation” tool: https://farms.extension.wisc.edu/articles/how-to-prioritize-debt-repayments/.  Use this excel spreadsheet tool to make a list of outstanding debt obligations, both secured (mortgages, auto loans) and unsecured, to help evaluate determine repayment scenarios (developed by former Ag Lender and current Extension Farm Management Specialist, Kevin Bernhardt).  
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, employer obligations and tax credit. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/news/2020/05/18/farmers-sick-leave/ (poster also attached).
  • Staying Safe in the Cab During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A website post on how farms can reduce risk of COVID-19 exposure when sharing equipment: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/news/2020/05/18/cleaning-ag-equipment/.