Sept. 25, 2020
Arkansas farmers, ranchers receive $138.5 million in first round of federal coronavirus assistance
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Arkansas farmers, ranchers file more than 18K applications for aid
- Applications for second round open until Dec. 11
(218 words)
(Newsrooms – with additional charts at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQYjf96)
(Download this story in MS Word format here.)
JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas farmers and ranchers have received more than $138.5 million under the first round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance program, or CFAP.
The aid was in response to the 18,446 applications filed from Arkansas to the U.S. Department of Agriculture received through Sept. 20.
“Payments to livestock producers account for 69 percent of the approved first-round CFAP applications in Arkansas,” said Scott Stiles, extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Non-specialty crops — which include corn, cotton, soybean and sorghum — accounted for nearly 27 percent of the total.”
During the first round, rice, soft red winter wheat and peanuts were excluded. They are now included in the second round of CFAP, the application period for which opened Sept. 21.
The remaining portion of those first-round payments in Arkansas were divided among specialty crops, which received 2.6 percent, dairy receiving 0.7 percent and aquaculture-nursery-floriculture receiving 0.8 percent.
“Sweet potatoes and pecans account for 99 percent, or $3,524,323, of Arkansas’ specialty crop payments,” Stiles said. “Catfish accounts for 65 percent, or $753,330, of the aqua-nursery-flora category payments.”
Find Stiles’ analysis here: https://bit.ly/2RZL32k.
In the second round of CFAP, USDA is making available another $14 billion to eligible farmers. Signup for the second round program runs through Dec. 11.
To learn about extension and research programs in Arkansas, visit https://uada.edu/
Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk, @uaex_edu or @ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Chief Communications Officer
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
mhightower@uada.edu
501-671-2006