USDA EXPANDS CFAP CALL CENTER SERVICES
By Mary Jane Buerkle
USDA has expanded the scope of the CFAP Call Center to allow
representatives to answer questions about and help customers complete CFAP
applications, according to a notice issued earlier this week.
Initially, the Call Center served simply as a connection between the
customer and their local USDA service center. However, USDA has shifted
the scope to provide expanded one-on-one support, including assisting
customers in completing CFAP applications. Final processing will still be
handled by the respective County Office.
Farm Service Agency employees from across the nation serve as a virtual
team to staff the call center. USDA also is hiring temporary employees to
help process applications at the request of county offices.
Customers can reach FSA staff at the CFAP Call Center at (877) 508-8364
from 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Central Time.
FARM STRESS – HELP AND HOPE
By Mary Jane Buerkle
The past few months have been a whirlwind of uncertainty, which adds to
the mounting challenges farmers continue to face in this new crop year.
Feelings of stress and isolation can lead to depression, substance abuse
and suicide.
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, Plains Cotton Growers, and experts
at Texas Tech have teamed up to provide information about how to get help
and have hope. PCCA has created a page on their website called “Farm
Stress – Help and Hope” with resources and facts about mental health
crisis. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 91% believe that
financial stress or fear of losing the family farm impacts mental health.
“Every day, farmers and their families deal with factors that are beyond
their control, which impact their finances, relationships, and many other
aspects of their operation,” PCG CEO Steve Verett said. “We urge anyone
struggling with stress, depression, or suicidal thoughts to seek help, and
encourage everyone to check on their family members, friends and neighbors
to offer support and help during these trying times.”
Resources include (but are not limited to):
* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255. The call is free
and confidential, and they will connect the caller to a counselor in their
area.
* Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741 to be connected to a trained
counselor 24/7.
* Farm Aid Farmer Hotline, 1-800-327-6243. Staff will answer calls Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
More information can be found
at https://pcca.com/farm-stress-help-and-hope/.
IMPORTANT PROGRAM DEADLINES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE KEY PROGRAMS
ARC-CO and PLC Election and Contract 2020 Crop Year
June 30
Crop Acreage Certification Deadline
July 15
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Application
August 28
Yield Update for PLC Program
September 30
Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program+ (WHIP+) Application
December 31
(program funds will remain available until expended or December 31)
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION KEY PROGRAMS
Paycheck Protection Program
Signup Ends June 30
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Signup Ends December 31
NCC COMMENDS APPOINTMENTS TO EPA FRRCC COMMITTEE
From the National Cotton Council
The National Cotton Council (NCC) commends EPA Administrator Andrew
Wheeler’s appointments to the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee
(FRRCC).
Administrator Wheeler selected 33 members of the agricultural community to
represent a variety of sectors from across the U.S., including agricultural
stakeholders and allied industries; academia; state, local, and tribal
government; and nongovernmental organizations.
Among the members are Stacy Smith, a cotton producer from New Home, Texas
and Dr. Jeffrey Gore, a research professor at the Mississippi State
University Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, Mississippi.
According to EPA, the 33 nominees will constitute a new committee, and
will each serve two or three year terms beginning this year. The new
members of the FRRCC hail from twenty-four states and one territory in all
ten U.S. EPA Regions, with six of the Members working in multiple states or
at a national capacity. The Committee expects to meet approximately twice a
year beginning in late Summer of 2020.
Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice,
information, and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of
environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture
and rural communities.
