By: Kelsey O’Shea
We recognize that many farm businesses are starting to see the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on their bottom line through a loss of sales or access to markets. We wanted to provide a preliminary list of available relief funding options and other business management resources so as to help ensure farms can adequately evaluate and manage their cash flow in the coming months. If you are concerned about the cash flow of your farm business and would like assistance in calculating the potential effects of slowed sales, or increased costs associated with this disruption, please reach out to Kelsey O’Shea, Farm Business Management Specialist CCE North Country Regional Ag Team at kio3@cornell.edu.
We will continue to update these resources as we are made aware of them, this is as of 03/27/2020.
SPECIFIC TO THE NORTH COUNTRY:
- “AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
- Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.
- The application (linked to below in both English and Spanish) is simple and easy to complete but includes sufficient detail to ensure AFT is awarding producers that have the greatest needs. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss.
- AFT envisions an initial application round extending until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1.”
ANCA Food System Security Grant
- This program offers awards of $2,500-$25,000 for projects that aim to enhance food and farm security in the region. Examples may include (but are not limited to) projects that support and expand supply chains, crop storage facilities, farmer subsidies so products can be offered to the public at reduced cost, and expansion of direct marketing options. Disbursement of funds will be negotiated in the award agreement. Applicants who have not received funding through the 2019 Local Farm Challenge Grant will be given priority
ACROSS THE STATE/US:
USDA Farmers Funding Opportunities