USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $290 million that will be available to struggling dairy farmers is on its way.
When the plan was announced many dairy farmers urged the USDA to release the money sooner to assist the ailing industry.
The good news is the program now has a name, rules and a sign-up procedure.
The Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment has no officially date of release. However Vilsack said the payments are to be used to “help stabilize their operations during these tough economic times.”
The eligibility will be based on milk production and marketing between February and July of 2009. Producers must present production records to their local Farm Service Agency county office to be considered for participation. Payments will be based on individual cases.
Eligibility requirements include:
*Producers must have an annual average adjusted non-farm income of $500,000 or less for calendar years 2006 through 2008
*Producers must comply with USDA provisions for highly erodible land and wetlands
*Producers must not have been convicted of a controlled substance violation.
Those interested in the program can apply until January 19, 2010. Click here for more information.
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