Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
It’s not too late for New Mexico farmers and ranchers to apply for financial relief from the coronavirus pandemic.
The deadline to apply for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is Aug. 28.
Applications from New Mexico producers should be submitted through USDA Farm Service Agency New Mexico offices. Contact information for local offices may be found at http://www.farmers.gov/cfap by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
“We want to make sure New Mexico producers are aware of this much-needed program,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said.
USDA-FSA will assist individuals with completing their application via phone, email, fax, mail or online tools. Also, a CFAP call center has been established for producers who would like additional one-on-one support with the application process. Please call (877) 508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee.
“New Mexico agriculture has endured hardships in the past, and we know our farmers and ranchers are facing a tough time now,” USDA-FSA New Mexico Executive Director Michael S. White said. “We are making every effort to provide much needed support as quickly as possible. The CFAP financial assistance gives New Mexico farmers and ranchers the ability to absorb some of their lost sales and increased marketing costs associated with the economic havoc caused by the global pandemic.”
While New Mexico has 25,044 farms and ranches reported in the most recent Agriculture Census, only 2,356 applications had been received as of July 15.
According to the USDA-FSA New Mexico office, over $61 million in payments have been disbursed to New Mexico producers as of July 15.