Farming groups fear black farmers may face barriers when it comes to CFAP.Photography by Rido on Shutterstock
Farmers Groups Fear Coronavirus Aid Won’t Reach Hardest Hit Farmers
“ Critics say the structure of the program will ... hinder the ability of small diversified direct-market growers, as well as young first generation farmers to qualify for much aid. As of last week, around 86,000 farmers and ranchers had applied for CFAP, which opened applications after Memorial Day.“
“The program is being administered through local offices of the Farm Services Agency (FSA), which is the wing of the USDA that handles loans and credits. Many black farmers still distrust their local FSA offices after decades of discriminatory loan practices, which led to black farmers losing their land. Some farmers from underserved communities simply don’t have a relationship with the FSA office, due to language barriers and other obstacles.While farm groups say the USDA has been making good faith efforts to reach out to farmers about CFAP, the fact that applications for the program go through local FSA offices is a barrier in itself. Many black farmers historically haven’t benefited much from USDA loan and assistance programs, and some fear that won’t change with CFAP.”
