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.