October 30, 2020

 

US state grant programmes for contracted chicken farmers
 

 

Governors of the US state of Maryland and Delaware announced new grant programmes for contracted chicken farmers to help them cope with losses caused by COVID-19.

 

These assistance programmes are called the Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Programme and Delaware Contract Poultry Grower Grant Assistance Programme that aim to bridge the gap for contract chicken growers that were not eligible for funds from the US Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Programme earlier this year.

 

The applications are open until December 1.

 

With US$10 million in funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act, each state will grant US$1,000 per household and up to US$5,000 per farm.

 

Those supports are focused on farmers who are contract growers for big companies like Perdue or Tyson. Poultry is Delaware's number one industry.

 

"This COVID-19 pandemic has caused and is continuing to cause great hardship for so many people, not just here in our state, but all across the country and all around the globe," said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. "And our farmers certainly are no exception. It's been a very difficult time for our agricultural community."

 

Additional US$1,500 will be given to farms that were forced to euthanise their entire flock.

 

"This announcement recognises how crucial the chicken community is to Delmarva's economy and it acknowledges that chicken growers faced sudden business disruptions none of them could have foreseen or prevented," said Holly Porter, executive director of advocacy organisation Delmarva Poultry Industry (DPI), in a statement. "The chicken industry never called time out during the COVID-19 pandemic and the food web held together under real stress."

 

According to DPI, chicken companies in both states placed six million chicks in farmers' chicken houses in early May, 45% of the number placed in early March. The reductions came after quarantine measures and business closures went into effect and represent lost income for the farmers. About 1,300 total farmers in Delmarva raise chicken as a contract grower.

 

"Far too often, our farmers don't get the respect and the appreciation they deserve, but I want our entire Maryland agricultural community to know your commitment to our state, to our agricultural industry, does not go unnoticed," Hogan said.

 

 - Delmarva Now