USDA still deciding how to divide up stimulus funds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is still trying to decide how to divide up the more than $23 billion in agriculture aid received in the $2 trillion stimulus package. Lobbyists from several ag sectors have already sent in suggestions, including a plan for the dairy industry. And senators from corn states are asking for aid for ethanol producers, Ryan McCrimmon reports for Politico's Morning Agriculture.

The Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment called on Congress to make sure that family farmers receive their fair share of economic relief funding, instead of just large agribusinesses, Chuck Abbott reports for Successful Farming.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue promised on Monday that the new aid will be distributed equitably, in response to Democrats' complaints that trade bailout funds disproportionately funded the South and wealthy farmers, McCrimmon reports.

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the $23 billion isn't enough to sustain the agriculture sector, Chuck Abbot reports for the Food & Environment Reporting Network.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition estimated in mid-March that the pandemic could cause local and regional food systems to lose up to $1.3 billion between March and May this year.

The influx of requests for low-interest Small Business Administration loans, which farmers are eligible for, is quickly draining the $349 billion set aside for for the program. "The quick run on the program prompted U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday to ask Congress to provide another $250 billion for the program," Chris Clayton reports for DTN/The Progressive Farmer.

Meanwhile, USDA's Rural Development agency is offering other relief measures for rural residents, including guaranteed loans with deferred payments, rent vouchers for multi-family housing, and utilities assistance. Read more here.