The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program has begun several programs that may help farmers financially.

Farm businesses and operations have been deemed essential and will continue to remain in operation producing high-quality, safe food products for consumers all across the world. However, with market disruptions, employees’ family obligations, and low commodity price projections, farm profitability uncertainties are an added source of concern. There have been early announcements of assistance that can ease cash flow issues and help farmers keep employees on payroll while maintaining their highest standards of quality, environmental stewardship, and animal wellbeing. Additional funding announcements may happen in the near future.

American Farmland Trust, a national organization dedicated to keeping our rural lands in agricultural production, has announced their “Farmer Relief Fund” initiative. The program will offer direct-market producers cash grants of $1,000 each to help ease the effect of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus. This can include the closure of farmers markets, decreased or interrupted sales to restaurants and institutional buyers, or to makers who use farm products as inputs. The deadline to apply is April 23 with grants awarded by May 1. For more information, visit farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund.

The Farm Service Agency has made changes to their farm loan, disaster, conservation and safety net programs to make it easier for customers to conduct business. While county service centers are closed to the public, staff are available to continue to work with the farming community by phone appointment. FSA has relaxed the loan-making process by extending the deadline for applicants to complete farm loan applications and preparing Direct Loans documents even if record searches cannot be completed because of closed government offices. FSA will continue to offer farm loans, commodity loans, farm storage facility loans, disaster assistance programs, safety net programs, conservation programs, and acreage reports with modifications meant to benefit the farmer and this situation’s unique challenges. For more information, contact your local service center or visit fsa.usda.gov.

The CARES Act’s recent Paycheck Protection Loan Program announcement will also provide emergency funding to farms via Small Business Administration loans. The low interest, forgivable loan program will be available starting April 3 to cover payroll costs, utilities, mortgage interest, and/or rent. Farm owners should work with their existing lenders, if they are participating in the PPL program, to determine their eligibility and complete the expedited application. For more information on this program, visit sba.gov. Elizabeth Higgins, Ag Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eastern NY Horticulture Team, recently wrote a summary of this program that is available by visiting swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu.

For more information on creating financial statements for a farm, farms should contact their lender or Katelyn Walley-Stoll, farm business management specialist. Additionally, NY FarmNet recently released a guide to “Managing Financial Stress on the Farm in Uncertain Times” and their consultants are available for free and confidential financial and personal counselling. For more information, call 800-547-3276 or visit nyfarmnet.org.

For more information about any of these programs, updated lists of resources, assistance with a farm’s financial plans, or for access to materials without having a reliable internet connection, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll, farm business management specialist, at 640-0522 or email kaw249@cornell.edu.