Due to the government shutdown, farmers have not been able to apply to the USDA’s trade aid programs.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the USDA announced that the deadline to apply for payments under the Market Facilitation Program will be extended.
Originally, producers had to apply by Jan. 15. “Using existing funds, we were able to keep [Farm Service Agency] offices open as long as possible, but unfortunately had to close them when funding ran out,” explained Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in the announcement.
“We will therefore extend the application deadline for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices were closed, once the government shutdown ends.
Farmers who have already applied for the program and certified their 2018 production have continued to receive payments.”
As of press time, FSA offices had been closed for about two weeks. There has been little indication when the shutdown will end.
Talks between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrat leaders on Jan. 8 reportedly ended with Trump walking out, calling the meeting “a total waste of time.”
