Farmers & Rural Communities
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The American Rescue Plan provides $3.6 billion for USDA to strengthen the food supply chain by:
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Increasing food donations with commodity purchases from farmers for distribution to food banks, nonprofits, or restaurants, to help feed families and support farmers’ bottom lines;
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Improving worker safety with resources for food and agriculture businesses to purchase personal protective equipment, test kits, and other measures that keep essential food workers safe; and
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Investing in infrastructure that supports food processors, farmers markets, and producers to build resiliency in the food supply in the long term
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The American Rescue Plan includes provisions for USDA to pay up to 120 percent of loan balances, as of January 1, 2021, for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Direct and Guaranteed Farm Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans debt relief to any socially disadvantaged producer who has a qualifying loan with FSA. This includes producers who identify as one or more of the following: Black/African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.
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If you’re uncertain of your demographic designation on file at FSA, you can contact your local service center to verify your classification on record. If an update or correction is needed, you may either fill out USDA Form AD-2047 or work with your local service center to update your record, including race and ethnicity.
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The American Rescue Plan also provides $500 million in USDA rural initiatives to help hospitals expand vaccine distribution, purchase needed medical supplies, bolsters telehealth capacity and helps hospitals facing lost revenue and high costs. The USDA will administer these funds through the Community Facilities Program.