SCFB State Office Operating Procedure
The SCFB Products Program is still open for business offering delivery and curbside pickup. Contact the team at 1-800-849-3778.
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
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USDA announced the additional assistance on January 15, which includes expanding CFAP eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities and updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for earlier assistance. This additional assistance builds on about $23.6 billion in payments made available through CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 earlier signups.
Of particular interest in this round of funding, certain contract poultry growers can now apply. Eligible producers must:
- have raised broilers, pullets, layers, chicken eggs, turkeys, hogs, or pigs under a contract in 2019 and 2020.
- demonstrate a drop in revenue for the period from January 1, 2020, through December 27, 2020, as compared to the period from January 1, 2019, through December 27, 2019.
- provide a copy of their contract and documentation to support the information provided on their application, if requested by FSA.
Eligible contract growers can now apply for CFAP 2 between January 19 through February 26, 2021 by contacting their local USDA Service Center. One-on-one support with applications is also available by calling 877-508-8364.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Payments are based on eligible revenue for January 1, 2020, through December 27, 2020, minus eligible revenue for January 1, 2019, through December 27, 2019, multiplied by up to 80 percent.
Fact Sheets
- USDA Rural Development Loans
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The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) will begin administering the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program, which was created in the CARES Act. This program will provide $1 billion in guaranteed loans for rural businesses and agricultural producers who do not qualify for Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans.
The B&I Guaranteed Loan Program will be directed to rural businesses and agricultural producers who were in operation on Feb. 15, 2020. The loans must be used for working capital loan purposes to support business operations and facilities in rural areas including agricultural producers.
USDA also announced that these loans will:
Expand eligibility to agricultural producers who are not eligible for FSA loans;
Provide 90 percent guarantees on B&I CARES Act Program loans;
Set the application and guarantee fee at two percent of the loan;
Accept appraisals completed within two years of the loan application date;
Not require discounting of collateral for working capital loans; and
Extend the maximum term for working capital loans to 10 years. - Farm Bureau Bank PPP Loans
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Farm Bureau Bank has been working expeditiously with the Small Business Administration (SBA), to launch the Paycheck Protection Program; we are pleased to share that we are now accepting applications. Unlike most financial institutions we are NOT limiting applications to our existing customers and will be accepting applications from Farm Bureau Members. As I’m sure you have heard, this program is very popular, which is creating backlogs at many financial institutions and some banks are no longer accepting applications. We are here to help your Members get access to this program if they are unable to be served by their local bank.
- SCDA Information
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Farmers looking to setup on-farm pickups, click here to be added to the Carolina Farm Stewardship map.
To be added to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture list of local farms, contact LauraKate McAllister by email or phone (Office: 803-734-2224 | Cell: 803-667-7829).
- Clemson Extension Information
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Clemson Extension offices are closed to the public, but agents are still working and soil samples are still being processed. Click below for more information.
All S.C. pesticide applicators who were licensed as of Dec. 31, 2019 but have not already renewed as of April 1, 2020, will have their licenses extended through Dec. 31, 2020 if they meet specific requirements.
- On-Farm Resources
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COVID-19 is not known to be a food borne illness, but good sanitary practices remain of the utmost importance. Here are some resources to protect your farm and yourself should you open to the public.
Guidelines for U-Pick Farms
If you've lost your normal marketing channels, Coyote logistics might be able to help. For more information, contact Shawn McCloud, VP of UPS Operations.Visit their website for more information.
- Employee Safety
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Safety and Prevention Resources (English and Spanish)
Best Practices (English and Spanish)
SCDHEC Stop the Spread of Germs
- Employer Resources
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For farmers with employees, here are some helpful resources
Critical Infrastructure Workers Guidance
AFBF: Impact of COVID19 on Agriculture
Corona Virus Prevention on Farms
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Tax Credits for Paid Leave FAQs
- Coronavirus Financial Aid Information
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Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program
Coronavirus Aid Package Summary
Small Business Association Size Requirements
- USDA Information
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NRCS and FSA offices are open by appointment only.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus state of emergency. Working through Approved Insurance Providers, RMA is ensuring that crop insurance will be delivered.
- SBA - Paycheck Protection Program
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The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a new guaranteed loan program, which includes $349 billion, for small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll. Eligible businesses include nonprofits, veterans organizations, Tribal business concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors – with 500 or fewer employees.
Loans are capped at $10 million but can include up to eight weeks of the businesses average monthly payroll costs from the last year plus an additional 25 percent for non-payroll costs. Seasonal and new businesses will use different calculations. The PPP will be available through June 30, 2020.
The loan will be forgiven if:
All employees are kept or quickly rehired and compensation levels are maintained for eight weeks (payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee) The funds are used for:- Payroll and benefits
- Mortgage interest incurred before February 15, 2020
- Rent, under lease agreements in force before February 15, 2020
- Utilities, for which service began before February 15, 2020.
Farmers can apply for the PPP through any existing SBA 7(a) lenders or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating.
Applications can begin on:April 3, 2020, for small businesses and sole proprietorships through existing SBA 7(a) lenders April 10, 2020, for independent contractors and self-employed individuals through existing SBA 7(a) lenders All federally insured depository institutions, federally insured credit unions, and Farm Credit System institutions that are not existing SBA lenders can begin making loans once they are approved and enrolled in the SBA program. New lenders will need to submit their application to DelegatedAuthority@sba.gov to apply with the SBA.
Borrowers will still owe money if:
The loan amount is used for anything other than payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities payments over the 8 weeks after getting the loan. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25 percent of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. You will also owe money if you do not maintain your staff and payroll.
PPP Information for Agriculture Related Industries
PPP Application Form
SBA PPP Rule
PPP Borrower Information Sheet
PPP Lender Information Sheet
Schedule F Guidance
PPP FAQs
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
EZ Pay PPP Loan Forgiveness Application - Transportation