Please visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/assistance-programs/  for the latest updates.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal Assistance Programs

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

This new USDA program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. President Trump directed USDA to craft this $19 billion immediate relief program to provide critical support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure every American continues to receive and have access to the food they need. https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP): Farmers to Families Food Box Program

USDA purchases fresh produce, dairy and meat. Distributors and wholesalers provide box of food to groups serving those in need. https://www.farmers.gov/cfap

Dumped Milk

https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Press/Press-Releases/2020-News/USDA-Addresses-Milk-Dumping-Authorizes-Other-Flexibilities-To-Help-Producers-Amid-Pandemic USDA’s Risk Management Agency is ensuring that milk producers who purchased insurance are not inappropriately penalized if their milk must be dumped because of recent market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Crop Insurance Flexibilities

USDA’s Risk Management Agency is working with those insurance providers to provide additional flexibilities in response to COVID-19. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Farm Loan Flexibilities

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is providing additional flexibilities to provide producers with credit options in response to the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Commodity Loan Flexibilities

Producers now have more time to repay Farm Service Agency Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL), as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Crop Acreage Reporting

Acreage reporting is key to eligibility for many USDA programs, including crop insurance, safety net, disaster assistance, farm loan, and conservation programs. While USDA Service Centers are currently open by phone or virtual appointments only, FSA is still available to work with you on timely filing your acreage report. FSA staff are providing acreage reporting assistance through phone, email, and virtual meetings like Microsoft Teams. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Animal Mortality

While support for livestock is available through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program in some circumstances, limited markets and processing may cause livestock producers to depopulate herds. NRCS offers assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help agricultural producers properly dispose of livestock that were depopulated because of impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

Food and Nutrition Services

USDA is granting states significant program flexibilities and contingencies to best serve program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. Below are summaries of actions taken to ease program operations and protect the health of participants. https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19

New Mexico Food and Nutrition Services

Waivers and Flexibilities https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19/new-mexico#cn

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Federal Assistance Programs

CARES Act

SBA Loan Forgiveness

The CARES Act includes forgiveness of loan payments for most existing SBA loans. Once implemented, you will not have to make your next six months of loan payments. https://www.coronavirus.gov/smallbusiness/

SBA Funding

Our nation’s small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL)

This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance

SBA Express Bridge Loans

Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans

SBA Debt Relief

As part of our coronavirus debt relief efforts, the SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest, and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current 7(a), 504, and Microloans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief

Additional Resources

Farm Credit Administration https://www.fca.gov/about/coronavirus-covid-19

Farmers Legal Action Group http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/

New Mexico Economic Development Department https://gonm.biz/about-us/covid-19-response

USDA – Farm Service Agency (New Mexico Office) https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/New-Mexico/index

USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (New Mexico Office) www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov

USDA – Rural Development Response https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus

USDA – Risk Management Agency https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Continuing-Interest/Coronavirus-Resources