The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the application deadline for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two and Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) to July 14, 2023. This extension allows agricultural producers more time to apply for assistance, as the original deadline was June 2, 2023.
To provide additional support to producers, the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has partnered with nine organizations. These cooperative agreements aim to offer educational and technical assistance in completing the ERP Phase Two application. The deadline extension enables producers to collaborate with these organizations and successfully submit their program applications.
Recognizing the learning curve associated with the new revenue-based programs, FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux emphasized the importance of ensuring producers have ample time to apply for assistance. The cooperative agreements allow for additional educational and technical support, helping producers navigate the Emergency Relief Program Phase Two application process effectively. This deadline extension empowers producers to engage with the partner organizations and complete their applications.
The following organizations, in cooperation with the FSA, are providing free assistance to producers across the United States and territories: Alabama State Association of Cooperatives, Farmers Legal Action Group, INC., Flower Hill Institute, Intertribal Agriculture Council, Inc., North South Institute, Renewing the Countryside II, Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA, Rural Coalition, and Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO. Depending on the producer's location, these partners can offer assistance via phone or online meeting platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Technical assistance provided by FSA employees or cooperative agreement recipients does not incur any charges. These organizations will aid producers in completing the application and addressing any future insurance coverage requirements. However, they will not collect producer records, complete or sign the application form, or act on behalf of the producer during the process.
For further information on FSA cooperative agreements and contact details for the nine organizations, please visit fsa.usda.gov.
To be eligible for ERP Phase Two, producers must have experienced a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2020 or 2021 due to necessary expenses related to eligible crop losses from a qualifying natural disaster event. Assistance will primarily target producers of crops not covered by Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) since those crops were included in the assistance under ERP Phase One.
To qualify for PARP, agricultural producers must have been engaged in farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and experienced a 15% or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue compared to a baseline year. FSA provides online ERP and PARP tools to assist producers in determining allowable gross revenue for each respective program.
Producers should contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment for ERP Phase Two and PARP assistance. It's important to note that July 15 is a significant deadline for completing acreage reports for most crops. FSA encourages producers to take advantage of their office visit to complete the ERP Phase Two application, PARP application, and acreage reporting simultaneously.
With the extended deadline and the support of partner organizations, the USDA aims to ensure that producers have sufficient time and assistance to access the relief programs
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