The brand new USDA Pandemic Response and Security Grant is now accessible for farmers who’ve or will incur bills associated to security or market pivots from January 2020 till December 21, 2021. The deadline is November twenty second and you may apply for between $1,500 and $20,000. I’m within the strategy of making use of for my mid-sized farm. We pivoted from wholesale to direct advertising as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Should you have been working throughout the pandemic, you most likely have eligible prices in the event you did any of the next:
- Implement office security measures
- Implement market pivots to guard staff
- Retrofit amenities for employee and client security
- Present further transportation choices to take care of social distancing and employee and client security
- Present employee housing that protects staff in opposition to COVID-19
- Present well being providers to guard staff in opposition to COVID-19
For instance, my farm bought gloves, masks, and a thermometer for our staff to adjust to security tips. We shifted most of our gross sales to CSA shares that have been packaged in containers and distributed by way of a curbside pick-up web site or delivered to houses. So as to sustain with the rising demand, we shall be increasing our washing amenities to permit for social distancing.
Up to now, I’ve discovered the web software course of easy and really easy. The net portal means that you can verify your eligibility and meet the DUNS quantity requirement multi function place. I offered my enterprise identify and deal with and the system found I already had a DUNS quantity assigned to my farm. Don’t fear in the event you don’t have a quantity but — you possibly can apply by way of the portal totally free and obtain your quantity in as much as 5 days.
The precise on-line software was surprisingly solely two pages. On the primary web page, I offered the DUNS quantity, common enterprise info, two factors of contact, and eligibility standing. Like most market farmers, I fell into the small enterprise and “different vegetable and melon farming” class. The second web page consists of a simple, fill-in 2×6 chart. Within the first column, I reported my bills from every of the six beforehand talked about classes. Within the second column, you possibly can report your precise prices up to now, however that’s optionally available.
Since I saved a clear file of my bills, it solely took me just a few hours to finish. And despite the fact that I don’t must submit documentation with my software, I’ll be protecting my data available in case my software is chosen for spot-check. I strongly encourage farmers to be taught extra and apply in the event that they’re eligible. Please go to Pandemic Response and Security Grant Program – USDA or name the devoted PRS assist desk at (301) 238-5550 for extra particulars.
