Memo - Emergency Request

United States
Department of
Agriculture

DATE:

August 18, 2021

Farm Production
And Conservation
(FPAC)

TO:

Josh Brammer
OMB Desk Officer

Farm Service
Agency (FSA)

THROUGH: Ruth Brown
USDA Information Collection Officer

1400 Independence
Avenue, SW
Stop 0540
Washington, DC
20250-0540

FROM:

Jamie White
FSA Acting Deputy Administrator Farm Programs

Jamie A. White

Digitally signed by
JAMIE WHITE
Date: 2021.08.18
15:06:14 -05'00'

SUBJECT: Request for Emergency Approval for a New Information Collecton Request - Coronavirus
Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for Grass Seed Producers
FSA is requesting OMB review and emergency approval of a collection of information under the
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to cover the grass seed commodity because we could not
comply with normal clearance procedure under the Paperwork Reduction Act and is essential to the mission
of FSA to provide the assistance to the grass seed producers. OMB has reviewed the related final rule.
USDA directed FSA to implement additional CFAP provisions due to the feedback from local office staff
and the agricultural industry. These changes will provide additional CFAP assistance to seed grass
producers that suffered COVID-related revenue losses. The changes are intended to ensure that calculations
and most accurately reflect sales, to provide equitable producer treatment, and to clarify certain provisions
appearing in CFAP 2. USDA has determined there are available funds from the CARES Act that remain
available until expended to use to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus by providing support for
agricultural producers impacted by coronavirus, including producers of specialty crops, producers that
supply local food systems, including farmers markets, restaurants, and schools, and livestock producers,
including dairy producers.
The sign-up period for CFAP 2 payments for additional CFAP assistance has been open; however, the seed
grass sign-up begins upon the release of the revised CFAP rule to include seed grass. The final rule will be
published in the Federal Register to provide guidance and notify applicants of the sign-up period. Up to
2,204 producers are expected to apply for seed grass payments under the new additional CFAP 2 provisions.
The eligible agricultural commodities that suffered COVID-related revenue losses, to ensure that calculations
and most accurately reflect sales, to provide equitable producer treatment.
Producers are also required to have the following forms on file with FSA: CCC-902I, Farm Operating
Plan for an Individual; CCC-902E, Farm Operating Plan for an Entity; CCC-901,Member
Information for Legal Entities, if applicable; CCC-941, Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information; CCC-942, Certification of Income from
Farming, Ranching, and Forestry Operations, Optional; and AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land
Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation Certification for CFAP Payments. We are
requesting emergency approval of a new information collection package by August 25, 2021, in
order to quickly provide additional assistance to producers.
If there are any questions or concerns, please call Deirdre Holder at 202-205-5851or MaryAnn Ball
at 202-720-4283.