House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, commented on the recent announcement that Oklahoma farmers and ranchers will be eligible to receive a portion of the additional $14 billion to be released to agricultural producers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2), made available by the Trump administration.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the funding is for farmers and ranchers that continue to face market disruptions and associated costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the decision came after receiving feedback from the nation’s farmers and ranchers as well as agricultural organizations about the impact of the pandemic.

“This is good news for the many farmers and ranchers in our House district that continue to work to keep their families and their neighbors fed during this time of economic and social uncertainty,” Sanders said.

“This relief funding will help make up for the volatility of the commodity market during this time as well as the many other factors that affect our agriculture producers – such as weath-er patterns, disasters and the lasting effects of past unfair trade agreements.”

Sanders thanked the Trump Administration and the USDA for their consideration of the nation’s farmers and ranchers in this latest relief package.

USDA will use funds made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and CARES Act to support row crops – including all wheat classes, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and many other commodities.

Sign-up for CFAP 2 began Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 11.

Producers can apply for CFAP 2 at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices.

The program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Producers will be compensated for ongoing market disruptions and assisted with associated marketing costs.

CFAP 2 payments will be made for three categories of commodities: Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-Rate Crops and Sales Commodities.

There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined.

Corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits when members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation.

In addition, this special payment limitation provision has been expanded to include trusts and estates for both CFAP 1 and 2.

For more details on the program, go to: https:// www.farmers.gov/cfap.