USDA Market Facilitation Program Deadline is February 14

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has been administering the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) since Sept. 2018 for almond, cotton, corn, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, fresh sweet cherry, and wheat producers. Producers must complete an application by February 14, 2019, but have until May 1, 2019, to certify their 2018 production.

The payment rate for corn is $0.01 per bushel, dairy is $0.12 per cwt., pork is $8.00 per head, soybeans is a $1.65 per bushel, and wheat is $0.14 per bushel. MFP payments are limited to a combined $125,000 for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat capped per person or legal entity. MFP payments are also limited to a combined $125,000 for dairy and hog producers, and a combined $125,000 for fresh sweet cherry and almond producers. Applicants must also have an average adjusted gross income of less than $900,000, and must comply with the provisions of the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation regulations.

For more information, call the Grant County FSA Office at 605-432-6570 or visit www.farmers.gov.