Update:
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson announced that the application deadline for the Mississippi Agriculture Stabilization Act funds has been extended through December 1st.
“We have received hundreds of applications from Mississippi producers, and we encourage those who haven’t yet applied to do so if they have been affected by COVID-19. We want to ensure that these funds get in the hands of farmers, as directed by the Legislature. Additionally, we hope that the first payments will be mailed out starting this week.”
For additional details on the program check out the original report below:
MASA is a self-certified application program for assistance due to the negative effects of the pandemic on Mississippi agriculture producers.
In a news release, Watson explained that the program has three separate funds within it: the Poultry Farmer Stabilization Grant Fund ($3 million), the Sweet Potato Farm Sustainment Grant Program Fund ($500,000), and the Mississippi Supplemental CFAP Grant Program Fund ($9.5 million).
Allowable reimbursable COVID-related farm expenses include the following:
- costs to feed/care for livestock that would not have been spent but for COVID (e.g., cattle were not sold due to lack of demand, so extra feed was purchased by the farmer);
- costs associated with cancellations; additional supplies; additional hardware/software;
- project costs;
- training;
- overtime to cover for another employee in quarantine;
- PPE;
- Other expenses as noted on the program’s website.
All applications must be submitted online. If application requests exceed available funding, funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
