Farmer CARES Act Funding Distribution

The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act set aside $23.5 billion to assist family farmers and rural communities affected by the pandemic, including $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and $9.5 billion to help specialty crop growers, farmers who support local food systems, dairy farmers, and livestock producers. How, when, and to whom this funding is distributed is largely at the discretion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging quick and fair farmer CARES Act funding distribution from the USDA. In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, NFU President Rob Larew urged the agency to “swiftly and efficiently implement assistance and distribute resources,” emphasizing that the capacity of the rural health care system and the success of family farm agriculture depends on immediate and prudent action. 

 

Larew outlined his priorities for the assistance package. He called on the secretary to provide necessary support to rural hospitals, ensure that rural Americans have access to health insurance, and offer prompt financial assistance to struggling family farmers and ranchers. On the final point, he underscored the importance that aid “be targeted to farmers, not large agribusinesses,” and that it include payment limits and income caps.

 

“We are deeply concerned with the immense and increasing pressure that our rural health system and economy are facing,” Larew wrote. “You must act now to address the looming threat of mass closures and consolidation of family farms. The ripple effects of these changes would be catastrophic to our rural communities.”

 

Read more in the NFU release.