SMALL FARMS & RANCHES IN AZ: SUBMIT FOR USDA FUNDING BY 12/11!
Arizona Microgreens is just one Valley small farm who successfully received CFAP 2 funding recently.
While COVID relief programs quickly emerged to support large agricultural operations in spring and summer, federal support lagged for small, diversified farms that supply farmers markets, restaurants, and regional farm-to-school programs. Fortunately, CFAP 2 (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program - Round 2) was announced by USDA in September and included some big wins that can help support Arizona’s small farms and ranches if they apply by Friday, December 11, 2020.
The application is very easy, and provides direct payments to farms. Funds are unrestricted, and do not have to be repaid. Eligible crops include all the usual fruits and veggies, and cover a diversity of specialty farm products like eggs, microgreens, cut flowers, or even just a few head of lamb. Even for farms that didn’t see or document a major market disruption, the USDA payments are available to cover things like “increased marketing costs” due to COVID-19.
Two small farms in Phoenix and Mesa have been approved within the last two weeks and have this experience to share:
“Applying for CFAP-2 was a straightforward process. I would recommend other producers call their FSA agent and look into it as soon as possible. FSA will send you the one-page application. You should be able to handle everything in 30 minutes or less. The potential financial support could be very significant.”
“We applied for the CFAP-2 program through the AZ Farm Service Agency (FSA). The process was very easy and painless! We received our funds in about 3 weeks. The money we received will help keep our business stable as we weather the challenges of COVID-19.”
HOW TO APPLY:
Producers have several options for applying for the CFAP 2 program. Producers can find eligible commodities, payment rates, calculations and options to apply on farmers.gov/cfap. Producers must apply by the Friday Dec. 11 deadline.
If you need one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process, you can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance (press 1 for English, para Español, marque número dos).
You can also call your region’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) representative and share a bit about your specific crops and volumes. If needed, for you or the growers you work with, guidance is available in additional languages. If you don’t know who your regional FSA contact is, you can find out here.
The deadline to apply is Friday, December 11, 2020.
If you aren’t sure about applying or just want to chat with someone you know about this opportunity, don’t hesitate to reach out to Kate and Kelley (contact information below) to talk through it. We want Arizona’s local food system to be supported by these federal funds and to not leave money on the table. Best of luck!
About the Authors:
Kelley Villa
Kelley Villa began working in Arizona's local food system in 2014. She spent several years as a farmers market manager and AmeriCorps VISTA service member in Yavapai County. She currently works at Pinnacle Prevention, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing our local food system and providing opportunities for active living. As the Farm to Fork Programs Manager, she shepherds the Double Up Food Bucks Arizona program at farmers markets, CSAs, mobile markets, and brick & mortar stores across the state. Kelley also provides farm food safety technical assistance and training. Contact Kelley at kelleyvilla@pinnacleprevention.org or 510-566-9067.
Kate Radosevic
Kate Radosevic is the Friends of the Farm Coordinator at Arizona Food Bank Network. Growing up on a dairy goat farm in rural northern Arizona instilled a passion for sustainable local food systems and rural communities from a young age. Since 2014, Kate has worked professionally to bolster public support for community farmers, strengthen local economies, and improve community health. In her current role, Radosevic works to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce, dairy, and protein to distribute to Arizonans struggling with hunger through the statewide emergency food relief network. Contact Kate at kate@azfoodbanks.org or 928-274-6363.