California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • American Farmland Trust Shares Tool Kit to Quantify Soil Health Benefits

    Today, American Farmland Trust, the organization that for 40 years has been saving the land that sustains us and advancing the principles of regenerative agriculture has launched online access to the methods, tools, and training resources it used in developing case studies featuring soil health successful farmers in its Quantifying the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Soil Health project funded by a USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant.

    Becoming all the more evident this year, farmers face enormous challenges. Extreme weather, a trade war and pandemic-related market disruptions have made it difficult for many to make a living. In a normal season, farmers work just to maintain yield, keep costs under control and try to improve the profitability of their operations. And, now we are asking farmers to respond to society’s call to improve environmental outcomes like water quality and help to mitigate climate change.  Soil health practices like cover crops, no-till and nutrient management can help address these challenges.  However, despite farmers’ belief in the science underpinning the practices, they are often reluctant to change management techniques without knowing how much the practices will cost and what the financial benefits will be.

    “AFT encourages our fellow conservationists to use this suite of tools and training resources to produce their own case studies demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of soil health,” said Michelle Perez, AFT water director. “Our hope is that farmers, who have been considering adopting soil health practices, will find the economic evidence quantified for a farmer in their area, sufficiently compelling, to get them to “say yes” to trying the soil health practices.

    Specifically, partners will be able to use  AFT’s Retrospective Soil Health Economic Calculator (R-SHEC) Tool, an 11-tab Excel-spreadsheet tool, to evaluate the costs and benefits of soil health conservation practices including no-till or reduced tillage, cover cropping, nutrient management and conservation crop rotation on row crop farms that have adopted any combination of the practices, ideally for more than four years and within the last 10 years. The tool presents the net economic benefits in a partial budget analysis table and an estimate of the Return on Investment, or ROI, in the soil health practices. The R-SHEC Tool and the case studies that AFT published underwent a review by five NRCS Economists, five NRCS Soil Health Specialists, three university economists, among other experts.

    Materials explain how to use the R-SHEC and how to identify and interview a soil health successful farmer to obtain the data needed to run the tool.  Additional resources are provided to instruct conservationists how to estimate the water quality and climate benefits associated with the already adopted soil health practices using USDA’s Nutrient Tracking Tool and USDA’s COMET-Farm Tool, and then how to assemble all the findings and present them in a compelling two-page case study. A six-part series of training videos provides instructions on each aspect of the process. To access the methods, tools and videos, go to link.

    In spring and summer 2021, AFT will release several new tools:

    • An almond version of the R-SHEC tool that aids estimation of the economic effects of almond-specific soil health practices such as conservation cover, nutrient management, mulching, and compost application.
    • A Predictive Soil Health Economic Calculator (P-SHEC) Tool that will enable conservationists to partner with farmers who are “on the fence” about soil health practices to estimate the potential short-term and long-term economic effects of an investment in practices which will hopefully give the farmers the information they need to overcome their apprehension.
    • An online, user-friendly, web-based version of the R-SHEC Tool.American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families.

  • Seghesio Family Vineyards Celebrates 125th Anniversary Harvest

    Seghesio Family Vineyards announced a historic milestone as it celebrates its 125th harvest in Sonoma County this fall. Representing the past, present and future of old vine Zinfandel, Seghesio is best associated with the historic role it played in creating a spiritual home for its flagship grape. A unique variety with no prior old-world benchmark, Seghesio helped define Zinfandel as what has become the all-American wine.

    Established in 1895 when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vineyard in the Alexander Valley, Seghesio is now one of the oldest winemaking names in Sonoma—five generations of the Seghesio family have weathered earthquakes, Prohibition, the Great Depression, droughts and fires to establish themselves today as Sonoma’s preeminent Zinfandel specialists.

    Five generations and 125 vintages later, Seghesio Family Vineyards continues to pioneer the highest quality Zinfandel along with a treasured collection of Italian varietal wines. In the cellar, Winemaker Andy Robinson takes an old-world approach, crafting every wine from small lots that are meticulously harvested, sorted, and fermented individually to ensure that each wine is true expression of the vintage, vineyard, and varietal. The dedicated vineyard team, led by Viticultural Director and fifth generation Seghesio family member Ned Neumiller, maintains several blocks of 100+ year old vine Zinfandel including the original vines that the founders planted in 1895 at Home Ranch in Alexander Valley.

    “Our intention is to make wines that celebrate the work done in the vineyard and we insist on participating in every aspect of a wine’s life. We strive to produce elegant and balanced Zinfandels of character that offer the fullest expression of each vineyard or region,” said Robinson. “Our roots, just like those of the old vines we tend, run deep in Sonoma County and we have a responsibility to the Seghesio family name to make wines that  celebrate the American dream of our founders—Italian immigrants who came to this country to build a family and a future. As we’ve evolved, so too has our idea of family to include not just the one you’re born into, but also the one you choose. This is the inclusive and welcoming spirit that inspires everything we do.”

    Neumiller oversees more than 300 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards planted across the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys—all of which are considered Sonoma County’s premier growing regions for Zinfandel. Neumiller brings a breadth and depth of Zinfandel expertise that is unmatched in the industry and is proud to serve as the guardian of some of Sonoma County’s most cherished old vine sites. On this point, Seghesio is especially bullish. In 2011, the winery purchased the historic Montafi Vineyard in the Russian River Valley specifically to ensure that the Zinfandel vines, planted in 1926, would stay in the ground.

    Although “old vine” is an unregulated term, Seghesio applies it exclusively to vines that have reached at least 50 years, though the estate exceeds even its own strict guidelines with its flagship Old Vine Zinfandel, produced from vineyards whose ages average closer to 75 years. And while Seghesio’s old vine Zinfandels rely on those deep roots for their inimitable complexity and structural integrity, Robinson ensures that the work doesn’t stop in the vineyard, employing exacting methods in the cellar more commonly associated with First Growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy than with California Zinfandel.

    After rigorous sorting, Robinson employs the use of open-top fermenters—more commonly used for Pinot Noir than for Zinfandel and oversaw the identification and selection of an indigenous yeast strain from Home Ranch Vineyard that is now used exclusively for the wines made from that particular estate.

    These painstaking winemaking techniques push the Seghesio Family Vineyards team, vintage after vintage, to re-set its own high bar for what it means to make great Zinfandel. A grape that spent decades overlooked or dismissed (or both), Zinfandel found its highest expression on American soil. For this reason, Zinfandel is often considered “America’s Grape”—there is no old-world benchmark for Zinfandel, because Seghesio Family Vineyards has set the benchmark here—in Sonoma County.

    About Seghesio Family Vineyards

    At Seghesio Family Vineyards, the key word is family. Our story begins in 1895 when our founders planted Zinfandel vines deep in Sonoma County soil and set down roots that, five generations and 125 vintages later, are still growing strong. Today, Seghesio Family Vineyards encompasses over 300 acres in preeminent Sonoma growing regions including the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

    Seghesio Family Vineyards is one of Sonoma County’s landmark houses for Zinfandel, and Winemaker Andy Robinson showcases his experience with and respect for the grape in each bottle produced. Robinson works closely with the vineyard team, led by Viticultural Director Ned Neumiller who represents the Seghesio family’s fifth generation of winegrowers, and balances generations of experience with the most advanced modern viticultural practices. Seghesio’s celebrated, food-friendly wines have a timeless sensibility and are made with elegance, balance, and purity that are crafted to carve out more moments for wine lovers to slow down, breathe, and savor life, family-style.

    The historic winery and tasting room are located in Healdsburg, Ca. For more information regarding Seghesio Family Vineyards, please visit www.seghesio.com.

  • Central Coast Wine Competition Winners Announced

    The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce the winners of the 18th annual Central Coast Wine Competition (CCWC) presented by SLO Life Magazine, the Central Coast Spirits Competition (CCSC) and the Central Coast Vinegar Competition (CCVC). The blind-tasting event, held October 12-14 at the Paso Robles Event Center, is the largest wine competition on California’s Central Coast, which encompasses ten counties stretching from Alameda to Ventura.

    This year’s competition included 86 wineries and 503 wines entered. The competition features 71 classes based on grape varieties and vintages, where the “Best of “ wines are selected for their varietal typicity, quality and character.

    Best of Show/Best of Red – Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo, 2017 Estate Lagrein
    Best Dessert – Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, Paso Robles, Mission Angelica (Fourth year in a row winning category)
    Best Sparkling – Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, Arroyo Grande, 2017 Brut Rose (Third year in a row winning category)
    Best Rose – Détente, Paso Robles, Field Blend Rose
    Best White – CASS Winery, Paso Robles, 2019 Mr. Blanc

    The Central Coast Wine Competition named Cass Winery as the 2020 Winery of the Year. The Paso Robles winery placed with all 18 entries entered featuring Best of White and 3 Best of class awards. This is the third Winery of the Year award for Cass, which took home the same honor in 2015 and 2018.

    The Central Coast Spirits Competition included 12 companies with 35 total entries. The competition featured 60 total classes in each division—California – Spirits made in CA and Invitational – Spirits made outside of CA.

    Best Brown Spirits/Best of Class Bourbon – The Splinter Group, Napa, Straight Edge Bourbon
    Best White Spirits/Best of Class Vodka – Krobar Craft Distillery/Americana, Paso Robles, Americana Kaffir Lime
    Best of Class Brandy – Castoro Cellars, Paso Robles, Bethel Rd. American Brandy
    Best of Class Gin – Krobar Craft Distillery/Americana, Paso Robles, Americana Pink Gin
    Best of Class Liqueur – Calwise Spirits Co. Paso Robles, WFEx Barrel Reserve Orange
    Best of Class Rum – Krobar Craft Distillery/Americana, Paso Robles, Navy Strength Golden Rum
    Best of Class Rye – The Splinter Group, Napa, Whip Saw Rye
    Best of Class Whiskey – The Splinter Group, Napa, Slaughter House
    Best of Class Whiskey (Outside of CA) – Breckenridge Distillery, Breckinridge, CO, Bourbon Whiskey

    The Central Coast Vinegar Competition featured six brands with a record-breaking 19 total entries in 10 classes based on varieties.

    Best of Show/Best of Class Flavored – IL Fiorello, Fairfield, CA, Fig Flavored
    Best of Class White Vinegar – Virginia Vinegar Works, Wingina, VA, Petit Manseng
    Best of Class Red Wine Vinegar – American Vinegar Works, Cambridge, MA, Ultimate Red Wine
    Best of Class Apple Vinegar – American Vinegar Works, Cambridge, MA, Cranberry Apple Cider

    “We are proud to be able to showcase several of the best wines, spirits and vinegars from around the Central Coast during this unprecedented year,” said Colleen Bojorquez, Interim CEO.

  • Farmer Survey: How Are You Doing At This Stage Of The Pandemic?

    Complete the survey by Monday November 2, 2020 and enter to win a $100 PayPal gift card! The Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) has re-launched a survey to learn from farmers across the nation about their real needs and concerns at this stage of the Covid-19 pandemic and its related economic recession. The national survey was first circulated by the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in March and April. They surveyed 250 farmers across the country to learn how Covid-19 was affecting their livelihoods.  Their report found that nearly a third of small, independent farmers were facing bankruptcy by the end of 2020. Stone Barns Center’s complete survey results can be found in their report at www.resourcedny.com.

    A lot has happened since April as farmers and other small businesses have worked tirelessly to stay in business in a constantly changing environment and with government support ending for many small businesses in July 2020.  UBS and PwC’s October report, “Riding the Storm: Market Turbulence Accelerates Diverging Fortunes,” demonstrates that billionaires saw their fortunes rise 27% from April to July during the pandemic. What did our nation’s farmers experience during that same time? What local and federal responses to the pandemic have worked for farmers and which ones have not? What will farmers need as they head into winter and over the next year?

    CADE’s 50-question survey takes about 10 minutes to fill out and is intended to answer these questions and more. CADE is looking to farmers to fill out the survey and for readers to share it with farmers across the country. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, November 2, 2020. The survey can be found on CADE’s website at: http://www.cadefarms.org/news/2020/10/26/national-survey-for-farmers-how-are-you-doing-at-this-stage-of-the-pandemic. All survey participants will be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 gift card to PayPal!

  • Promotable Volume of CA Table Grapes Available Through December

    Under sunny fall skies the harvest of table grapes continues in the San Joaquin Valley, moving steadily toward its December conclusion according to Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “Fall is a beautiful time of year to harvest grapes in California,” said Nave. “The vineyards are full of fruit, the mornings are cool and the afternoons are sunny and warm but not hot.”

    Nave said that many of the newer varieties of grapes were bred to be harvested in the fall. “Nearly 50 percent of the California grape volume is shipped to consumers from October through January,” she said, “making California grapes very much a fall and early winter fruit.”

    According to Nave, this time of year there are often suggestions from grape growers in other countries that California production will fall short of what is needed to supply the US market through December. “California has dominated grape sales through December for years and this season is no different,” she said. “Promotion work with retailers and conversations with consumers through social media, influencers, and advertising in multiple mediums are moving ahead full speed to support the promotable volumes of November and December and support the wrap-up in January.”

  • Whitehall Lane Winery Released the First-Ever Camminare Noir and Paseante Noir Wines Made from California’s Newest Sustainable Grape Varieties Developed at UC Davis

    Dr. Andrew Walker, UC Davis Professor of Viticulture & Enology (Geneticist)

    These red wines were 20 years in the making; or rather, the grape vines took two decades to develop. Whitehall Lane joined forces with Dr. Andrew Walker of UC Davis and Dr. Paul Skinner of Vineyard Investigations in Napa Valley and planted these experimental grape varieties because they are highly resistant to Pierce’s disease. Pierce’s disease is caused by a bacterium spread by leafhopper insects called sharpshooters. It infects grape vines across the US and costs California grape growers more than $100 million per year.

    “These varieties will hopefully make viticulture much more sustainable and provide a high-quality wine that the industry will welcome,” said Walker. Whitehall Lane owner Katie Leonardini agrees with Walker adding, “Rather than trying to manage the sharpshooter with insecticides and potentially harming other beneficial insects, these new rootstocks dovetail into our sustainable and green practices. And the wine is outstanding too!”

    Whitehall Lane bottled the 2019 Camminare Noir and 2019 Paseante Noir wines as single, distinct varietals. These grapes from the winery’s Oak Glen Vineyard were harvested on October 15, 2019. Winemaker Jason Moulton kept the two small lots separate saying, “It was amazing how distinct these two wines were from color to flavor to texture.” He continued, “As they developed in our custom American oak barrels, it was evident that these were excellent stand-alone wines.”  The special American oak barrels were designed by Nadalie Cooperage in Calistoga, CA to specifically suit the characteristics of these new American wines.

    The Camminare Noir profile is a cross between Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine has aromas and flavors of blackberries, raspberries, cherries and a dense tannin profile. The Paseante Noir is a combination of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon and delivers flavors of cassis, coffee, and berry.  Fewer than 25 cases of each were made and are available at the winery.

    Whitehall Lane planted the two rootstocks in 2016 in their Oak Glen Vineyard. Dr. Walker, professor of viticulture and enology at UC Davis, developed the rootstock, creating grape varieties that provide high-quality wine while elevating the level of sustainable grape growing. “Whitehall Lane was constantly replanting dead vines infected by Pierce’s disease,” said Dr. Skinner. “I knew the Oak Glen vineyard was a perfect location for Walker’s experimental varieties.”

    Whitehall Lane Winery is a family-owned and operated winery in Napa Valley’s historic Rutherford Appellation. They are dedicated to growing and making premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from their eight estate vineyards.  They provide friendly hospitality at their Napa Valley winery and are Napa Green winery and vineyard certified with sustainable practices.

    Dr. Walker is a faculty member of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. His lab is actively involved in breeding wine grapes for resistance to Pierce’s disease.

  • CDFA Raisin Handlers Annual Report

    California Department of Food & Agriculture — Free raisin tonnage produced by handlers in 2019 totaled 24,844 tons, up from the 9,423 tons reported in 2018. This figure does NOT include raisins purchased from other handlers or producers. The total 2019 raisin crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 145,145 tons at an average price of $1,162 per ton, down significantly from the $2,119/ton average of 2018. This price is rounded to the nearest dollar per ton and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 139,888 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was $1,031 per ton.

    The quantity of all raisins purchased from producers was 285,032 tons for the 2019 crop. This figure does not include raisins produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers. The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2019 raisin crop was 309,877 tons.

    Information contained in this report was supplied by raisin handlers to fulfill reporting requirements of Sections 55601.7 and 55601.8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The report includes all tonnages of raisins that were either produced by the handler or purchased from producers. The final weighted average price, including bonuses and allowances, has been reported for all contracts which were finalized.

    All 2019 crop transactions completed through the close of business on August 31, 2020 are included in this report. A “good faith” estimate of final weighted average price was reported for those contracts which were not final on the same date. The data are shown by major varieties at the State level only.

    DEFINITIONS

    Producer: A person or operator who is responsible for the raisins in the unprocessed state. A dehydrator operator is considered the producer of raisins if they grew or purchased fresh grapes and dehydrated them.

    Handler: Firm that processes and markets raisins.

    Finalized Purchases: Tonnage purchased from producers, for which a pricing contract has been completed.

    Non-Finalized Purchases: Contracted tonnage, for which a final price has not yet been determined.

    Free Tonnage: Tonnage received by a handler, for which the only Federal marketing order regulation is a minimum quality or size standard. Reserve tonnage is the tonnage set aside as authorized by a Federal marketing order.

    Weighted Average Price: Weighted average price reflects prices or “good faith” estimates of prices as reported by handlers and include any bonuses or allowances. 

  • CDFA Prune Handlers Annual Report

    California Department of Food & Agriculture — Prunes produced by handlers in 2019 totaled 9,791 tons, down from the 10,728 tons reported in 2018. This figure does NOT include prunes purchased from other handlers or producers.

    The total 2019 prune crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 38,336 tons at an average price of $1,456 per ton, down significantly from the $1,715/ton average of 2018. This price is rounded to the nearest dollar per ton and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 39,828 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was $2,133 per ton.

    The quantity of all prunes purchased from producers was 78,164 tons for the 2019 crop. This figure does not include prunes produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers. The weighted average size count of tons purchased from producers was 57 for the French varieties and 58 for the Non-French varieties.

    The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2019 prune crop was 86,879 tons of French prunes and 1,077 tons of Non-French prunes for a total of 87,956 tons.

    Information contained in this report was supplied by prune handlers to fulfill reporting requirements of Sections 55601.7 and 55601.8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The report includes all tonnages of prunes that were either produced by the handler or purchased from producers. The final weighted average price, including bonuses and allowances, has been reported for all contracts which were finalized.

    All 2019 crop transactions completed through the close of business on August 31, 2020 are included in this report. A “good faith” estimate of final weighted average price was reported for those contracts which were not final on the same date. The data are shown by major varieties at the State level only.

    DEFINITIONS

    Producer: A person or operator who is responsible for the prunes in the unprocessed state. A dehydrator operator is considered the producer of prunes if they grew or purchased fresh prunes and dehydrated them.

    Handler: Firm that processes and markets prunes.

    Finalized Purchases: Tonnage purchased from producers, for which a pricing contract has been completed.

    Non-Finalized Purchases: Contracted tonnage, for which a final price has not yet been determined.

    Free Tonnage: Tonnage received by a handler, for which the only Federal marketing order regulation is a minimum quality or size standard. Reserve tonnage is the tonnage set aside as authorized by a Federal marketing order.

    Weighted Average Price: Weighted average price reflects prices or “good faith” estimates of prices as reported by handlers and include any bonuses or allowances. 

  • CDFA Walnut Handlers Annual Report

    California Department of Food & Agriculture — Walnuts produced by handlers in 2019 totaled 10,902 tons, down from the 11,992 tons reported in 2018. This figure does NOT include walnuts purchased from other handlers or producers.

    The total 2019 walnut crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 624,890 tons at an average price of 95.0 cents per pound, up from the 67.3 cents per pound average in 2018. This price is rounded to the nearest tenth of a cent per pound and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 18,763 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was 83.8 cents per pound.

    The quantity of all walnuts purchased from producers was 643,653 tons for the 2019 crop. This figure does not include walnuts produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers. 

    The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2019 walnut crop was 654,555 in-shell tons.

    Information contained in this report was supplied by walnut handlers to fulfill reporting requirements of Sections 55601.7 and 55601.8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The report includes all tonnages of walnuts that were either produced by the handler or purchased from producers. The final weighted average price, including bonuses and allowances, has been reported for all contracts which were finalized.

    All 2019 crop transactions completed through the close of business on August 31, 2020 are included in this report. A “good faith” estimate of final weighted average price was reported for those contracts which were not final on the same date. The data are shown by major varieties at the State level only.

    DEFINITIONS

    Producer: A person or operator who is responsible for the walnuts in the unprocessed state.

    Handler: Firm that processes and markets walnuts.

    Finalized Purchases: Tonnage purchased from producers, for which a pricing contract has been completed.

    Non-Finalized Purchases: Contracted tonnage, for which a final price has not yet been determined.

    Free Tonnage: Tonnage received by a handler, for which the only Federal marketing order regulation is a minimum quality or size standard. Reserve tonnage is the tonnage set aside as authorized by a Federal marketing order.

    Weighted Average Price: Weighted average price reflects prices or “good faith” estimates of prices as reported by handlers and include any bonuses or allowances. 

  • More than $7 Billion Paid in Second Round of USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that in the first month of the application period, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) approved more than $7 billion in payments to producers in the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. CFAP 2 provides agricultural producers with financial assistance to help absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “America’s agriculture communities are resilient, but still face many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These payments directed by President Trump will continue to help this critical industry recoup some of their losses from ongoing market disruptions and associated costs,” said Secretary Perdue. “This program builds upon the over $10 billion disbursed under the first round of CFAP. Agricultural producers who have been impacted by the pandemic since April 2020 are encouraged to apply for assistance.”

    Since CFAP 2 enrollment began on September 21, FSA has approved more than 443,000 applications. The top five states for payments are Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Kansas. USDA has released a data dashboard on application progress and program payments and will release further updates each Monday at 2:00 p.m. ET. The report can be viewed at farmers.gov/cfap.

    Through CFAP 2, USDA is making available up to $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. CFAP 2 is a separate program from the first iteration of CFAP (CFAP 1). Farmers and ranchers who participated in CFAP 1 will not be automatically enrolled and must complete a new application for CFAP 2. FSA will accept CFAP 2 applications through December 11, 2020.

    Eligible Commodities

    CFAP 2 supports eligible producers of row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture, and many other commodities, including many that were ineligible for CFAP 1. FSA’s CFAP 2 Eligible Commodities Finder makes finding eligible commodities and payment rates simple. Access this tool and other resources at farmers.gov/cfap.

    Getting Help from FSA

    New customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.

    FSA offers multiple options for producers to apply for CFAP 2. Producers with an eAuthentication account can apply online through the CFAP 2 Application Portal. Also available is a payment calculator and application generator that is an Excel workbook that allows producers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, signed, and submitted to the local FSA office. Producers can also download the CFAP 2 application and other eligibility forms from farmers.gov/cfap.

    Producers of acreage-based commodities will use acreage and yield information provided by FSA through the annual acreage reporting process. Producers have the option to complete their application by working directly with their local FSA staff or online through the CFAP 2 Application Portal.

    CFAP 2 is not a loan program, and there is no cost to apply.

    More Information

    To find the latest information on CFAP 2, visit farmers.gov/CFAP or call 877-508-8364.

    All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone, and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.