Friday, June 12, 2020

2020 Census deadline extended to Oct. 31 due to COVID-19

June 12, 2020

 

2020 Census deadline extended to Oct. 31 due to COVID-19

New Mexico Agriculture Secretary reminds agriculture industry to complete Census

 

LAS CRUCES – The final deadline to complete the 2020 Census has been extended to Oct. 31 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture reminds farmers, ranchers and everyone within the agriculture community to respond to the census either online, over the phone, by mail or in person, as door-to-door operations that were temporarily suspended in March have now resumed across the state.

 

The decennial census is a simple 10-question form that, upon completion, determines how more than $800 billion in federal funds will be distributed in communities across the nation, including over $7 billion per year in New Mexico. The funding supports roads, schools, healthcare, public safety and essential service programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program. Research suggests that every New Mexico citizen unaccounted for results in a loss of approximately $3,745 every year.

 

“We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many in the agriculture industry to focus their efforts elsewhere during these trying times,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “However, completing the 2020 Census takes just 10 minutes of your time and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Remember that those 10 minutes will have an impact on the next 10 years. I encourage every farmer, every rancher, and everyone in the agriculture industry to stand proud, be counted, and complete a census form.”

 

For more information about the 2020 Census in New Mexico, visit https://www.icountnm.gov/home/. To respond to the census, visit https://2020census.gov/.

 

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

EPA Offers Clarity to Farmers in Light of Recent Court Vacatur of Dicamba Registration


 

 


Monday, June 8, 2020

Webinar For USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Set for Tomorrow

Webinar For USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Set for Tomorrow

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's FSA hosts its "Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Producer Education Webinar" tomorrow, June 9, at 3 p.m. EDT for Specialty Crop Producers. Through this webinar, specialty crop producers can learn everything they need to know to sign up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which ends August 28, 2020.

Pecan growers affected by COVID-19 can apply now through their local FSA office for direct relief payments through the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Sign up is between May 26 and August 28.

Pecans are included among the eligible specialty crops for this program. According to the USDA, the total payment for eligible specialty crops “will be based on the volume of production sold between Jan. 15 and Apr. 15, 2020; the volume of the production shipped, but unpaid; and the number of acres for which harvested production did not leave the farm or mature product destroyed or not harvested during that same time period, and which have not and will not be sold.”

Some pecan growers have already received their payment through this program as the USDA accepts and fulfills applications on a rolling basis. Pecan’s inclusion can be linked to the National Pecan Federation’s efforts to amplify industry voices and concerns.

To receive payment, producers must self-certify that their losses between January 2020 and mid-April 2020 due to COVID-19 were 5 percent or greater, and are required to submit need documentation for spot checks in order to support their claims. Interested growers can utilize the CFAP Application Payment Calculator to determine their estimated payments and fill out the application.

Applications can be submitted through the phone, mail, electronic methods, or hand delivery to an office drop box. Producers do not have to be an existing USDA customer and can participate in PPP, EIDL, or USDA programs without conflict. To be eligible, “producers must own or share in the risk of the covered commodity and have a share of the commodity available for marketing.”

FSA encouraged producers to not that there is no fee to participate in this program. CFAP is not a loan program and payments do not have to be repaid; furthermore, it does not come with stipulations and will not be withheld to satisfy prior USDA debts or offset by the treasury

FSA has also set up a call center for farmers with questions about CFAP or for those that would like one-on-one support. To speak directly with a USDA employee, call
1-877-508-8364.