Agriculture Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

• USDA Coronavirus FAQs
• Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
• USDA Rural Resource Guide
• USDA Service Centers
• Rural Development
• H-2A Visas
• Food & Nutrition Service
• Food Safety
• Risk Management

Paycheck Protection Program

Are farms eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)? 

Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers with 500 or fewer employees whose principal place of residence is in the United States are eligible.

Farms are eligible if: (i) the farm has 500 or less employees, OR (ii) it fits within the revenue-based sized standard, which is on average annual receipts of $1M.

Additionally, farms can qualify for PPP if it meets SBA’s “alternative size standard.” The “alternative size standard” is currently: (1) a maximum net worth of the business not more than $15 million, AND (2) the average net income Federal income taxes of the business for the two full fiscal years before the date of the application be not more than $5 million.

What is the Paycheck Protection Program? 

The Paycheck Protection Program provides forgivable loans through the existing 7(a) loan program for small businesses for payroll costs, rent and mortgage obligations, and utilities. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees who maintain their payroll by keeping employees or rehiring them before June 30, 2020, are eligible for these loans to be forgiven by the federal government. The principal, processing, and fees from the loan can be forgiven. 

Loans are available for up to 250% of your monthly payroll expenses and will be forgivable if you meet the payroll maintenance criteria. You will owe money on your loan if you use it for purposes other than those specified above. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

• Program Application
• Program Overview
• Program FAQs
• Treasury Guidance
• Information for Borrowers
• Interim Regulatory Guidance

Farm Service Loans 

Producers can continue to apply for farm loans and USDA will continue to service existing loans. USDA’s Farm Service Agency is relaxing the loan-making process and adding flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit to producers in need.

Learn more

Additional Resources

• Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Farm Credit Administration
• Critical Infrastructure Sectors - U.S. Department of Homeland Security