Kentucky Corn Growers – COVID-19 Resources for Farmers

Resources

As more impacts from the Coronavirus will be felt by everyone, a list of articles and resources  can be found below. Many of the sites update frequently, especially the Kentucky websites, so check back for any actions or orders.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions

View the Fact Sheet for non-specialty crops eligibility

Crop Insurance Flexibilities

Late last week, RMA announced some additional COVID-related flexibilities to the federal crop insurance program.  Those include:

  • Interest accrual on premium payments and administrative fees will be waived to the earliest of an additional 60 days of the scheduled payment due date or the termination date on policies with premium billing dates between May 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020.  Full details can be found here. 

  • The Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently waived late file fees for an acreage report (FSA-578) when filed within 30 days of the acreage reporting date (ARD).  AIPs are allowed to correct some information in these reports, so RMA clarifies that this correction period is also extended.  For the 2020 crop year, ARDs that occur on or after May 15, 2020, RMA is extending the correction time period for an acreage report, or other forms due by the ARD, for an additional 30 days. Likewise, for the 2021 crop year ARDs before August 1, 2020, RMA is extending the correction time period for an acreage report, or other forms due by the ARD, for an additional 30 days. However, RMA is not extending the date by which an insured must provide an initial acreage report.  Full details can be found here. 

Assistance for Small Businesses (Including Farms) Available Through CARES ACT

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act 

  • Allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed. 

  • Includes self-employed and independent contractors. 

  • Paycheck Production Program (PPP) provides 100% federally guaranteed loans. 

  • Loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. 

  • Guidelines about the program are available here.



Learn more

Production Issues

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Farmers may feel the odds are in their favor to stay healthy because of the remote nature of their business, but being wrong can create some serious complications. Most of these issues can be avoided with a formal contingency plan for the farm.

Read the article

Farm Planning Document
Field Info Sheet (PDF)
Field Info Sheet (Excel Spreadsheet)

Interstate Travel and Essential Business

Essential Employee Letter to Show if Stopped – Print and fill in this letter for any interstate travel.

Kentucky

Kentucky Department of Agriculture Updates

Quarles In Communication With Farm Credit System Leaders, Says They Want To Help

Thank you Kentucky Retail Federation for compiling this list:

Additional Farmer Information

Agricultural Producers Encouraged to Visit Farmers.Gov for Updates on Services in Their Community – As proactive health measures are put in effect nationwide to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the USDA is taking measures to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. As a result, access to certain facilities may be limited while remaining open for business. All service center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other service center agency are encouraged to call their service center to confirm availability for in-person or phone appointments before visiting. Producers can find their service center’s phone number at farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Agricultural producers should visit farmers.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on available services and the latest status of service centers impacted by these locally-specific health measures.

Kansas State University is building a library of short videos that help provide understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on commodity markets.

Farm Bureau – The Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture

Farm Bureau Highlights Immediate Challenges Facing the Agriculture Sector

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture NASDA COVID-19 Resources Page

American Farm Bureau Federation Rural Resilience

Center for Rural Affairs – 10 Helpful Resources for Farmers

Feeding America Establishes COVID-19 Response Fund to Help Food Banks During Coronovirus Outbreak 

Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford was on CNN discussing demand/ infrastructure/ logistic issues.

Rural Health Information Hub

Keeping Seniors Safe Amid COVID-19

Red Cross – Severe blood shortage due to coronavirus outbreak

Latest News 

Featured



America’s Farmers: Resilient Throughout the COVID Pandemic


America’s Farmers: Resilient Throughout the COVID Pandemic


USDA explains the impact of COVID on the agricultural community.



Analysis Projects $89 Per Acre Losses for 2020 Corn Crop Due to COVID-19


Analysis Projects $89 Per Acre Losses for 2020 Corn Crop Due to COVID-19


New analysis released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today projects a drastic drop in 2020 revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with impacts persisting into 2021.



U.S. Red Meat Exports Remain Strong Despite COVID-19


U.S. Red Meat Exports Remain Strong Despite COVID-19


Demand for high-quality red meat from the U.S. remained strong in the first quarter of 2020, despite CoVID-19-related disruptions in export markets. Through March, U.S. exports of both pork and beef were on a record pace and accounted for a growing share of U.S. production, even with record production levels.



Grains Go With The Flow: U.S. Inland Waterway System Operating Normally During COVID-19


Grains Go With The Flow: U.S. Inland Waterway System Operating Normally During COVID-19


Flowing from farms in the Corn Belt down to the Mississippi River and into ports on the Gulf of Mexico, more than 12,000 miles of marine highways are a crucial part of the U.S. grain supply chain – one that has continued to operate in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Corn-Ethanol Partnership Helps Kentucky Proud Farmers’ Markets


Corn-Ethanol Partnership Helps Kentucky Proud Farmers’ Markets


As Commonwealth Agri-Energy has diverted their 200-proof ethanol product to fill the need hand and surface sanitizer, an idea formed to provide the product to Kentucky’s many farmer’s markets and livestock sale barns as they begin to open back up to the public.



COVID-19 Continues to Create Havoc for Ag and Food Markets


COVID-19 Continues to Create Havoc for Ag and Food Markets


While the demand for some foods like beef and seafood tend to be more responsive to income changes, total food consumption doesn’t change much in an economic downturn compared to other vulnerable sectors of the economy like travel, entertainment, housing, and manufacturing.



NCGA Analysis shows $50 per acre revenue declines for corn due to COVID-19


NCGA Analysis shows $50 per acre revenue declines for corn due to COVID-19


Analysis released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today showed cash corn prices have declined by 16 percent on average, with several regions experiencing declines of more than 20 percent, since March 1 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis projects a $50 per acre revenue decline for the 2019 corn crop.



USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program


USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program


This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. 



Commonwealth Agri-Energy Meets Higher Demand for Hand Sanitizer with Local Corn


Commonwealth Agri-Energy Meets Higher Demand for Hand Sanitizer with Local Corn


Commonwealth Agri-Energy began selling several 270-gallon totes of 200-proof alcohol to local craft distillers last month. Demand has grown to the point they are now loading 8,000- gallon tanker trucks daily to serve packagers across the Southeast.



FSA Makes Changes to Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs to Make it Easier for Customers to Conduct Business


FSA Makes Changes to Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs to Make it Easier for Customers to Conduct Business


USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Kentucky by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions.