Farmers affected by low commodity prices due to trade disruption have until Jan. 15 to sign up for the Market Facilitation Program.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will administer the Market Facilitation Program to provide payments to corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat producers. The sign-up period for MFP is open and runs through Jan. 15, with information and instructions provided at farmers.gov/mfp.  MFP provides payments to producers who have been significantly impacted by the loss of traditional export markets. Eligible producers should apply after harvest is complete, as payments will only be issued once production is reported. 

A payment will be issued on 50% of the producer’s total production, multiplied by the MFP rate for a specific commodity. A second payment period, if warranted, will be determined by USDA.

MFP payments are limited to a combined $125,000 for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat capped per person or legal entity.  MFP payments are also limited to a combined $125,000 for dairy and hog producers. Applicants must also have an average adjusted gross income for tax years 2014, 2015, and 2016 of less than $900,000. Applicants must also comply with the provisions of the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation regulations.

Apply, monitor online
Missouri farmers have new online options to access USDA programs. Through USDA’s new streamlined process, producers can now register, track and manage their applications for the Market Facilitation Program and 2017 Wildfires Hurricanes Indemnity Program on the secure and convenient farmers.gov/sign-in.

"You can conduct business with USDA from the comfort of your home, office, or mobile device," says Brent Hampy, Missouri FSA director. "These online services save time, reduce paperwork and, in some cases, speed up processing."

MFP and 2017 WHIP are administered by FSA. To apply and manage their applications online, producers first need to sign up for the Level 2 eAuthentication access. 

Enrolling is a two-step process. Producers who do not already have an account can register for an account at eauth.usda.gov. After creating the account, customers receive a confirmation email with instructions for identity verification. Identity verification can be completed online or by presenting a government issued photo ID in person at a USDA service center.

In addition to the programs available through the farmers.gov portal, other programs offered by FSA can be managed at the Online Services page with the same eAuthentication credentials.

"We know doing business online has become a key part of many agricultural operations and hope our online services can provide the ease and convenience you’ve come to expect," Hampy says. 

Individual producers have many options available for conducting business online with USDA agencies including FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency. Online tools such as the NRCS Conservation Client Gateway offer customers added flexibility and a secure web portal to track payments, report completed practices, request assistance and sign documents. Level 2 eAuthentication access is not yet available for entities, but it is available for individuals.

To learn more about conducting business with USDA online, trade mitigation package or locate the nearest USDA service center, visit farmers.gov. 

Source: Missouri Farm Service Agency