Underserved farmers who have faced pandemic-related losses are being offered additional relief through the pandemic relief grant program, with the application deadline set for July 14.
PANDEMIC RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM EXPANDS SUPPORT
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Created to expand existing pandemic relief programs, the pandemic relief grant program aims to target overall revenue loss rather than just price losses, according to Ryan Loy, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. While the pandemic relief grant program may be lesser-known compared to other relief programs such as the Coronavirus Food Assistance Programs (CFAP 1 and 2), the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program Spot Market Hog Pandemic, and the 2020 Emergency Relief Program, it plays a vital role in assisting underserved producers. The pandemic relief grant program was established as part of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2021, utilizing unused funds from previous relief initiatives.
FARMERS WITH 15% OR MORE REVENUE LOSS IN 2020 QUALIFY FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM
To qualify for the pandemic relief grant program, producers must have experienced a minimum of a 15 percent decrease in allowable gross revenue for 2020 compared to either the 2018 or 2019 calendar year. Applying early for the pandemic relief grant program increases the chances of receiving prompt payment. The pandemic relief grant program specifically targets whole-farm allowable gross revenue losses in 2020 compared to the producer’s allowable gross revenue in either 2018 or 2019. The calculation of gross revenue takes into account the value of a producer’s crops, while the allowable gross revenue is determined by the net farming loss or profit from Schedule F, minus any pandemic-related aid previously received.
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