FIELD TALK
News from Whiteside County Farm Bureau
Special Issue: May 2020
We are in unprecedented times with the COVID-19 emergency declarations from the Federal and State governments. We are striving to continue serving our members and our communities. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for help in these trying times.
Click here for a full list of COVID-19 resources from your Farm Bureau.
The Whiteside Farm Bureau has issued the following policy regarding its operations. This policy may change at any time.
- The Farm Bureau building remains closed to the public until further notice.
- We have limited staff presence in the building but you can reach us at 815-772-2165 or whitesidecountyfarmbureau@gmail.com. To reach Matt Lillpop, Executive Director, call 815-441-8572 or email matt.wcfb@gmail.com.
- We ask our members/clients to shelter in place as we can handle most urgent business over the phone or by email at this time.
Congress Approves Half Trillion Dollar Aid Package
Updated information on the IL Farm Bureau:
https://www.ilfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/
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Updates since the last News and Notes edition:
- (May 6, 2020) USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has issued his expectations for Governors regarding Meat Packing and Processing Facilities. Read his letter to Stakeholders here.
- (May 4, 2020) Farmers can now apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the Small Business Administration. Apply here or find more details on our federal stimulus page.
- (May 4, 2020) USDA has announced $100 million in competitive grants to expand the availability and sale of renewable fuels.
- (May 4, 2020) USDA has announced $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. Read about this additional support on our USDA page.
- (May 1, 2020) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the availability of EQIP funding to assist producers facing mortality management issues . NRCS offices are ready to receive producer phone calls. Read more on our livestock page.
- (May 1, 2020) Illinois farmers may sign up for WHIP+ Quality Loss Payments by contacting their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and setting up an appointment. All counties are eligible for losses caused by excessive moisture due to a USDA disaster declaration last year. Applications are available here.
Additional information can be found at CLA Agribusiness Blog.
SBA Makes EIDL Available to Agriculture
SBA's EIDL portal is open. as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the President one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Agricultural businesses include businesses engaged in the legal production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). Eligible agricultural businesses must have 500 or fewer employees.
The SBA will begin accepting new EIDL applications on a limited basis only, in order to provide unprecedented relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL loan application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will move forward and process these applications without the need for re-applying. All other EIDL loan applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis.
Barrier to PPP Participation Dropped: Market Intel Analysis
The SBA recently clarified that farm participation in the PPP is based on net farm profits (or losses), line 34, form Schedule F, from 2019. While the agriculture sector welcomed this clarification, many self-employed farmers are finding it to be a barrier to participation in the program.
Market Intel update
Emergency Supplies Needed: Complete Online Form to Help!
If you or other farmers you know have livestock supplies or equipment that could be used by livestock producers, fill out this form. "The information collected on the website form will be for internal use and will only be shared with livestock groups if a farmer is in need of specific supplies," according to FarmWeekNow.com.
Needed items include tractor bucket and skid-steer loaders, coarse sawdust, woodchips (size 2 inches or less), mulch, chopped cornstalks, straw or hay, corn silage and finished compost, to name a few.
Old barns, buildings or feedlots are also being considered to house animals during this crisis.
About Us
Email: whitesidecountyfarmbureau@gmail.com
Website: www.whitesidecfb.org
Location: 100 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 772-2165
Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitesidecountyfarmbureau