Jan 24, 2023

USDA releases disaster, pandemic assistance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is releasing revenue-based disaster and pandemic assistance programs designed to help growers.

On Jan. 23, the USDA publicized programs that agricultural producers can begin the application process. The two new programs are designed to cover revenue losses from 2020 and 2021, natural disasters and/or the Covid-19 pandemic. Both programs equitably fill gaps in earlier assistance, according to a news release.

Growers may be eligible for assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two program. The stipulation is if growers experienced revenue losses from eligible natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. ERP Phase Two is for producers who didn’t receive assistance from ERP Phase One, according to the release.

Produces may find themselves eligible for participating in the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) if they experienced revenue losses in calendar year 2020. Instead of overall revenue losses, PARP addresses gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was focused on price loss or lack of market access, according to the release.

Applications for both are due June 2. Growers may apply for both during their same appointments with USDA’s Farm Service Agency, according to the release.

Learn more about ERP and PARP here.