GFB新闻杂志

Washington steps up to help farmers weather COVID-19 pandemic

发布于2020年6月1日12:00 AM

杰弗里·哈维

农场的乐观情绪很低，压力很大. There’s no doubt farming requires a tremendous amount of optimism, faith and determination to pick up the pieces and try again. 

As 乔治亚州农场局 President Gerald Long often reminds staff, 面对每一个挑战, 这是一个机会.” 

As difficult as it may seem, this pandemic is no exception. With the help of our elected officials and consumers, 谁买我们的产品, 农民将经受住这场风暴. 

Agriculture is blessed to have strong supporters in Atlanta and Washington representing us. 农民喜欢好天气和公平的价格, 但在他们不在的时候, assistance is sometimes needed – especially in situations like this. 

Bipartisan efforts in Washington will soften the blow COVID-19 has dealt farmers and the entire American economy. Below is a summary of programs Congress and President Trump implemented.

关心行为 

国会通过了冠状病毒援助的第三阶段 & 经济安全(CARES)刺激法案3月27日. 2美元.2 trillion emergency relief package expanded unemployment benefits, provided tax rebates and numerous tax-relief provisions to help individuals, 家庭和企业. The 关心行为 also established and funded several important programs for farmers.

工资保障计划(PPP)

PPP is a newly established guaranteed loan program for small businesses with the goal of keeping their employees on the 工资. After much discussion with the Small Business Administration (SBA), farmers were deemed eligible to participate in the program. 其他符合条件的企业包括非营利组织, 退伍军人组织, 部落商业问题, 独资企业, self-employed individuals and independent contractors with 500 or less employees. 

PPP loans are capped at $10 million but can include up to eight weeks of the business’ average monthly 工资 costs from the last year, 另外还有25%的非工资成本.

在下列情况下，贷款可获豁免:

•所有员工都被保留或迅速重新聘用 & 薪酬水平维持八周.

• The funds are used for 工资 and benefits, mortgage interest, rent or utilities.

借款人在下列情况下会欠债:

• The loan amount is used for anything other than 工资 costs, mortgage interest, rent & utilities payments over the 8 weeks after getting the loan.

• Not more than 25% of the forgiven loan amount may be for non-工资 costs.

• You will also owe money if you do not maintain your staff & 工资.

By April 15, the initial $349 billion in PPP funding was depleted. 根据SBA的说法, 1的,661,从4月3日到4月15日，共有367家贷款机构获得批准, 46,334笔贷款，总共4美元.30亿美元用于农业, 林业和渔业/狩猎小型企业, 占1.占PPP贷款总额的28%.

经济损失灾害贷款(EIDL) 

The EIDL program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.  Under the 关心行为, business owners in all states, Washington, D.C.，和U.S. territories are eligible to apply for an EIDL advance of up to $10,000. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. 这笔贷款不必偿还.

第三阶段.5

On April 23, Congress passed a supplemental funding bill referred to as 第三阶段.提供了4840亿美元的紧急资金. The bill provides an additional $310 billion in PPP funding of which $60 billion was allocated for small lenders and community-based financial institutions serving small businesses.

Farmers may apply for the PPP through any existing SBA 7(a) lenders or through any participating federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union or Farm Credit System institution.

An additional $50 billion is provided for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and $10 billion for SBA’s Emergency Economic Injury Grant program.

This bill clarified that agricultural operations are eligible for both EIDL loans and the economic injury grants.

$600 million in funding was also earmarked for Community Health Centers and $225 million for rural health clinics.

冠状病毒粮食援助计划(CFAP)

4月17日, the USDA announced plans to distribute 关心行为 funds to farmers through direct payments and purchases of ag commodities.

直接付款

A total of $16 billion in direct payments has been allocated for producers of commodities

for which COVID-19 impacted prices by disrupting market supply chains, 导致需求减少或短期供过于求. 

支付给生产商的款项将以实际损失为基础. 每种商品的分配情况如下:

• $9.畜牧业:60亿美元.10亿美元买牛，2美元.90亿美元买乳制品，1美元.60亿买猪

• $3.为行栽作物生产商提供90亿美元                                                                        

• $2.10亿美元用于特种作物生产商

•5亿美元用于其他作物                                                                       

Producers will receive a single payment determined using two calculations:

• 5% price losses that occurred January - April 15, 2020. Producers will be compensated for 85% of price loss during this period.

• Second part of the payment will be expected losses from April 15 through the next two quarters, 承担30%的预期损失.

The payment limit is $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. 公司申请人, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits where members actively provide personal labor or management. Producers must certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75% or more of their income comes from farming, 牧场或林业.

CFAP支付的注册从5月26日开始，到8月6日结束. 28. 美国农业部预计将在6月份开始支付这笔款项. 访问 www.gfb.ag / CFAP 了解更多详情.                             

美国农业部购买 & 分布

美国农业部将购买30亿美元的新鲜农产品, 乳制品, and meat to assist farmers significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, 酒店及其他餐饮服务实体. USDA will begin with the procurement of an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits/vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of 乳制品 products, 每月一亿美元的肉制品.

The distributors and wholesalers will then provide a pre-approved box of fresh produce, 奶制品和肉制品捐赠给食品银行, 社区和信仰组织, 以及其他非营利组织.

Jeffrey Harvey is the 乔治亚州农场局 公共政策 Department director. 请致电478-474-8411或 jaharvey@chinafotoe.com.