skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Time Running Short for Farmers to Apply for COVID Aid

play audio
Play

Thursday, November 12, 2020   

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin farmers, who are struggling during the pandemic crisis, still have a chance to sign up for federal aid.

But they're urged to act quickly, and assistance groups say the latest round especially could help smaller producers.

Dec. 11 is the deadline for farmers to apply for help under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.

Alejandra Hernandez, conservation policy associate for Wisconsin's Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, said unlike the first round of funding, the new relief package has an expanded list of eligible commodities.

She noted that can boost the chances of qualifying for those who aren't producing on a larger scale.

"We have a lot of small to mid-sized producers, and a lot of them are selling at farmer's markets, things like that," Hernandez observed.

She added many smaller producers, who relied heavily on demand from restaurants, have now shifted to direct marketing to stay afloat.

The aid provided under the program comes in the form of direct payments, allowing farmers to cover needed expenses. At the onset of the pandemic, agricultural groups in Wisconsin had projected losses of tens of millions of dollars due to COVID-19 for a variety of commodities.

Michael Dolan, owner of Seven Seeds Farm in Spring Green, raises organic and grass-fed beef, pork and chicken.

He said the new application process has been much more productive than the first, noting the local Farm Service Agency office helped with the paperwork and he received payment within two to four weeks.

"Right now, it's helping us with cash flow and to buy feed because we're having to hang onto these animals longer," Dolan explained.

He reported that's because slaughter facilities in Wisconsin are backed up, adding to his operation's dilemma.

Dolan encouraged any farmer nervous about qualifying to at least explore the process.

Meanwhile, the Michael Fields Institute is providing direct help with applying for aid. The group's website has a host of links, including a calculator to assess how much aid you could receive.

Disclosure: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute contributes to our fund for reporting on Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Rural/Farming, and Sustainable Agriculture. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021