Eligibility requirements yet to be released for over $8 billion farm fuel relief program
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri farmers are encouraged to pre-file applications with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the over $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program.
The program is a one-time payment that is intended to provide farmers with financial relief during the harvesting season. It is funded by the 1933 Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, which helps provide loans to farmers and ranchers and has $30 billion of indefinite borrowing authority from the U.S. Treasury.
Payment rates will be announced in November, but will be calculated according to an applicant's reported planted acres, cost-of-production estimates and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices with the Farm Service Agency.
Farmers of specialty crops and fishermen who may not be eligible are still encouraged to submit data separately to the USDA for relief consideration.
The Missouri Farm Bureau called the announcement "welcome news" during an interview with NewsNation Live on Tuesday. Both Missouri Soybeans and the Missouri Corn Growers Association are awaiting additional details on the program.
"Your team at Missouri Soybeans is working closely with USDA to clarify program details and ensure Missouri soybean farmers have the information they need as the program moves forward," Missouri Soybeans said in a Facebook post Tuesday.
Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) pushed back against the program, and instead asked for a more long-term form of support.
"I don't think we're going to have a farmer in the state who says, 'Yep, this is what we want every year, for the president to bail us out,'" Cleaver said. "I can tell you, they don't want to sit around and take welfare; they will tell you they don't like it, they just want to have the ability to send their products to the market and get a fair price for them, they want the opportunity to work and work hard."
"Missouri farmers want lower fuel prices, open markets, and free trade — not inadequate government bailouts," Cleaver said in a Facebook post Tuesday.
Cleaver adds that the timing of the program may not be best for harvest season and instead fit more with the upcoming midterm election in two weeks.
"We're talking about money possibly coming in late November, maybe December, and the farmers need everything they can get right now. They've got to go and use the diesel in their farm equipment right now, today, harvest season," Cleaver said. "The farmers want permanence; they want to have predictability, and those are the two things they just don't have right now."
Cleaver is also concerned where additional funding will come from if it's needed.
The truth of the matter is he will have to come to Congress for some assistance," Cleaver said. "Congress will return in the second week of November, and I can tell you everybody, they're going to be interested in finding and hearing the details, and the details must include, 'how many farmers will get money in my state?' and everybody else going to ask the same question."
Congressman Mark Alford (R-Raymore) promoted the program on social media, calling it "real relief for Missouri farmers and American agriculture."
Applicants must create a Login.gov account linked to the USDA. There, pre-filled applications will be available online.
