Questions have been circulating on whether or not dry bean producers are eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments. According to Tom Hance with Gordly Associates, the answer is yes. Dry edible beans are fall under the Sales Commodities category of CFAP 2.
“Dry beans are included in CFAP 2,” said Hance. “Growers are able to amend and increase this payment if they received a crop insurance indemnity or WHIP+ payment for 2019 production. Those producers can also have their CFAP 2 payment calculated using their 2018 sales.”
Famers who have not already applied for CFAP 2 can do so through their county Farm Service Agency office.
In addition, USDA has set aside $6 billion for the Pandemic Assistance for Producers program. This is another opportunity for compensation to dry bean producers, said Hance in a Red River Farm Network interview.
“There are a list of entities that will possibly be included in this $6 billion. The specialty crops in the sales commodity category, including dry beans, are among those that could potentially be included.”
Hance stresses that this decision is subject to rulemaking, so it will be several months before it will be known how the funds are distributed.
