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Supporting my struggling dairy and pork farming friends to while I cross my fingers for some good news to report from this late night @USDA press call with @SecretarySonny.
Stay tuned to @SuccessfulFarm for the latest about #coronavirus’ impact on agriculture.
Stay tuned to @SuccessfulFarm for the latest about #coronavirus’ impact on agriculture.
More than ever our country knows where their food comes from, says @SecretarySonny.
Earlier today @realDonaldTrump and @SecretarySonny announced a $19 billion program to help farmers. It will be broken into two parts:
Part 1: $16 billion in direct payments to farmers. This will be distributed regardless of operation's size or market outlet, @SecretarySonny says. @USDA knows these funds will only cover a portion of the #coronavirus impact.
Part 2: @USDA will purchase $3 billion of fruit, veggies, and proteins for food banks and other non-profits.
Now taking questions from reporters across the country.
Q1: Nothing was said about biofuels. What is going on there?
A1: Biofuels (corn farmers) are not included. "Frankly, there's not enough money to go around," says @SecretarySonny.
Q1: Nothing was said about biofuels. What is going on there?
A1: Biofuels (corn farmers) are not included. "Frankly, there's not enough money to go around," says @SecretarySonny.
Q2: When will checks to farmers be in the mail?
A2: Hopefully by the end of the May, says @SecretarySonny acknowledging it will be hard and his people would like longer to work on it, but farmers need help now.
A2: Hopefully by the end of the May, says @SecretarySonny acknowledging it will be hard and his people would like longer to work on it, but farmers need help now.
Q3: Have you requested more testing for meat processing plants?
A3: There have been several conversations involving plant owners, governors, and more. It is not the role of @USDA to get the tests.
A3: There have been several conversations involving plant owners, governors, and more. It is not the role of @USDA to get the tests.
Now a series of questions about the logistics and public/private partnerships that will be used to distribute the aid and food @USDA plans to purchase.
@SecretarySonny calls it a "logistics rubrics cube."
@SecretarySonny calls it a "logistics rubrics cube."
Now a question about the issues livestock farmers are seeing with the packing industry. @SecretarySonny says he has extended the investigation, but it's not prudent to discuss an ongoing investigation.
He says he plans to have a task force to learn more.
He says he plans to have a task force to learn more.
@SecretarySonny just wrapped up tonight's call, but says more information will be coming next week and as all of this unfolds.
Keep an eye on @SuccessfulFarm for the latest. I'll have a story ready for tomorrow morning's newsletter.
Keep an eye on @SuccessfulFarm for the latest. I'll have a story ready for tomorrow morning's newsletter.
I'll be adding more details over the next few hours, but for anyone who's not a night-owl, you can get the basic facts in this @SuccessfulFarm story I just published. https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/what-is-in-usda-s-19-billion-coronavirus-relief-program
Okay, I'm going cross-eyed. More updates to come in the morning. Subscribe to the @SuccessfulFarm newsletter to make sure you don't miss any of our #coronavirus news coverage. Goodnight! 
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I just updated the @SuccessfulFarm story again with the response I got from @USDA when I asked, "Is there a list of crops that are eligible for direct support under part one of the program?"
Here's a screenshot of what a spokesperson had to say:
Here's a screenshot of what a spokesperson had to say:
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