Naig: ‘CFAP 2 Critical to Supporting Agriculture Community Still Battling Economic, Market Challenges Caused by COVID-19’

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 18, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today in response to the announcement that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing a Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2. The program makes $14 billion of financial assistance available to farmers and ranchers who continue to experience market challenges and economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create significant market and trade disruptions, and this poses very real challenges for Iowa farmers. The agriculture economy will rebound but it will take time,” said Secretary Naig. “I want to thank President Trump and the USDA for continuing to support our farmers as they battle persistent economic hardships.

I’m very pleased to see Iowa’s turkey producers were included in this round of CFAP funding, as they too have been hit hard by the decreased demand at delis and quick-service restaurants.”

Farmers can begin signing up for the CFAP 2 on Monday, Sept. 21, at their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The program will run through Dec. 11, 2020. To learn more about the USDA CFAP 2 program, visit farmers.gov/cfap.