Lucas: USDA Includes All Wheat Varieties in CFAP 2

 Cheyenne, OK – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of  Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP) to better address the needs of all of America’s wheat growers. The CFAP 1 only covered assistance to hard red spring and durum wheat farmers, which only encompasses a piece of the wheat industry.

President Donald Trump and USDA announced today that the Agency would provide an additional $14 billion for agriculture producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19, including growers of all classes of wheat.

“America’s wheat growers are resilient, but many still face unprecedented challenges through no fault of their own. The coronavirus pandemic has weakened market positions across all commodities throughout the nation and, whether you’re a wheat farmer who wrapped up harvest in May or those looking ahead to harvest in the coming weeks, CFAP 2 will help those weather the uncertainties of the pandemic,” said Congressman Lucas. “I thank Secretary Perdue and USDA for addressing the needs of Oklahoma’s hard red winter wheat growers, expanding CFAP eligibility to include all wheat classes. As producers continue to provide food, fuel, and fiber for consumers, I will continue to work with USDA to ensure these changes can be implemented to best help Oklahoma’s wheat growers.”

Earlier this month, Congressman Lucas sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging that all wheat classes be eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The bipartisan letter was led by Congressman Lucas and was signed by 25 other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will use funds being made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and CARES Act to support row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and many additional commodities. USDA has incorporated improvements in CFAP 2 based from stakeholder engagement and public feedback to better meet the needs of impacted farmers and ranchers.

Producers can apply for CFAP 2 at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices. This program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers will be compensated for ongoing market disruptions and assisted with the associated marketing costs.

CFAP 2 payments will be made for three categories of commodities – Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-rate Crops and Sales Commodities.

For more information about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program visit USDA’s website here.