Agriculture Aid Available To Farmers As Costs Rise

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has opened signups to provide Upper Cumberland farmers aid.

Chad Huddleston is County Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Huddleston said up to $250,000 is available based on a farmers crops and the number of animals they own.

“All input costs are going up,” Huddleston said. “Fuel, fertilizer, materials, everything seems to be on the rise as far as cost goes. Income isn’t where everyone would probably like it to be. So anytime you can get some help on your farm, it’s definitely going to be a plus to you.”

Huddleston said that a 60 day minimum window was opened for the program on April 5, and a deadline has not been set. He said that any farmer who did not signup last year, should reach out to the Farm Service Agency in Sparta to get signed up or check eligibility.

“If you missed the CFAP 2.0 signup, contact our office and we can get you signed up for that,” Huddleston said.

He said the number to call and check is (931) 738-7822 extension 2.

Huddleston’s FSA Office covers White, Putnam and Van Buren Counties. He said that farmers who did signup previously, should automatically receive payments from the latest round of funding.