WEBVTT 1 00:00:08.849 --> 00:00:21.300 Theresa Keaveny: Welcome to the coronavirus Food Assistance Program webinar see fab today. Our presenters bring a wealth of knowledge and that is from both 2 00:00:22.470 --> 00:00:33.780 Theresa Keaveny: Practical information on safe app as well as being farmers themselves. Some of them. So I'll introduce our speakers and introduce our sponsors. 3 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:45.210 Theresa Keaveny: This is sponsored by farmers legal action group Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Minnesota. Farmers Market Association. 4 00:00:45.660 --> 00:00:56.250 Theresa Keaveny: The University of Minnesota Extension North Central there and sustainable farming Association, and I am the executive director of sustainable farming Association. 5 00:00:56.760 --> 00:01:07.080 Theresa Keaveny: pleased to introduce our presenters we today have Meghan Roberts, who is an extension educator and she and her husband also farm south of me and kato 6 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:23.580 Theresa Keaveny: With farmers legal action group we have Steven carpenter and Stephen is a very seasoned attorney and Cs program director at flag and we also have a filling in a little bit. We will have Lindsay keen 7 00:01:24.990 --> 00:01:37.230 Theresa Keaveny: Also with leg and then Jeremy dusky joins us. He is the secretary of the Minnesota lamb and will producers and also a razor of sheep himself. 8 00:01:37.770 --> 00:01:49.080 Theresa Keaveny: I think our processes the presentations will be made, we will look at the questions that were previously submitted and make sure that they are addressed. And you can also ask questions in the chat. 9 00:01:49.530 --> 00:02:03.570 Theresa Keaveny: And hopefully we'll be able to take verbal questions, towards the end as well. And we want to wrap up no later than 115. So with that, let's go ahead and, I believe, Megan, you're going to be leading 10 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:16.020 Megan L Roberts: That in practicing prepare for that introduction. So we're going to start out with some basic overview of the coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or C fat for short. 11 00:02:16.470 --> 00:02:32.220 Megan L Roberts: It is a $16.5 billion program that is administered by the United States Department of Ag Farm Service Agency. So this funding comes from two different places, one from the cares Act, which has provided a wealth of 12 00:02:32.820 --> 00:02:39.030 Megan L Roberts: coronavirus assistance to various industries, including agriculture and then the other half of it. 13 00:02:39.540 --> 00:02:48.240 Megan L Roberts: Approximately half of it comes from the commodity credit core chartered Act. So we've got two different sources of funds that are coming together. 14 00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:55.290 Megan L Roberts: To try to put together some assistance for farmers that have been affected by coven 15 00:02:56.070 --> 00:03:08.310 Megan L Roberts: Sign up goes through September 11 that is a two week edition. So we already were supposed to be past the final deadline date, but the USDA has given an additional two weeks. 16 00:03:08.850 --> 00:03:22.800 Megan L Roberts: You're going to want to if you do choose to sign up probably not wait until September 11. So this is something that you're going to want to start working on sooner rather than waiting for that last date. 17 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:33.690 Megan L Roberts: For a rip that gov slash see fat is really the go to online information source. So we're going to cover some of the overall details. 18 00:03:34.830 --> 00:03:42.870 Megan L Roberts: See fat, but everything we're talking about, for the most part you can find@farmer.gov slash see fat. 19 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:56.940 Megan L Roberts: When it comes to this specific terminology that is used to describe what is eligible for see fats. This is the quote eligible producers. 20 00:03:57.330 --> 00:04:08.130 Megan L Roberts: Specified agricultural commodities outlined and it says above because this a tribe see fab farmers that gov slash people who have suffered a 5% or greater. 21 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:21.360 Megan L Roberts: price decline as a result of the coven 19 pandemic and who faced substantial marketing costs for inventories are eligible for the past, but what does that really mean that's what we hope to address in this webinar. 22 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:36.360 Megan L Roberts: Well that terminology that 5% decrease on substantial marketing that has always remain the same. There have been changes to see fab since it was first announced back in May of this year. 23 00:04:36.930 --> 00:04:50.700 Megan L Roberts: Over time, more products have been made eligible for example, on July 9 40 additional commodities were announced and then on a lot august 11 and additional 60 commodities for announced 24 00:04:51.030 --> 00:05:01.890 Megan L Roberts: So if you looked at this back in May and you saw that you weren't eligible, it might be worth your time to just do a bit of a double check and 25 00:05:02.430 --> 00:05:16.350 Megan L Roberts: If you're on this webinar. That's probably what you're doing to make sure that you really are eligible or not eligible, because we have seen these changes over time with a few additional commodities being made eligible 26 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:24.690 Megan L Roberts: Payments also now are made in one disbursement instead of two. So back in May. There was a slight we 27 00:05:25.350 --> 00:05:38.070 Megan L Roberts: Confusing announcement that you would be given 80% and then if money were mains you would get 20% that is no longer the case. So as we've moved through safe and it 28 00:05:38.760 --> 00:05:49.170 Megan L Roberts: Is looking like there will be sufficient funds to go around for all eligible producers, they have decided to do one disbursement instead of two and then 29 00:05:49.740 --> 00:06:02.400 Megan L Roberts: We have seen more self serve information available online. In fact, they made it so that sole proprietors can actually do their entire application online if they are on 30 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:09.990 Megan L Roberts: Someone that has a USDA online authentication. 31 00:06:11.010 --> 00:06:28.170 Megan L Roberts: And we'll talk a little bit more about what that means. So now I want to just hand it off a little bit here to even as we are going to talk a little bit more about eligibility for producers. 32 00:06:36.630 --> 00:06:39.780 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Sorry, I was muted. So the 33 00:06:41.070 --> 00:06:46.380 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I think the short answer for for producer eligibility is that it's very broad. 34 00:06:47.370 --> 00:07:03.930 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That you need to be essentially a farmer, you need to have an ownership interest in the commodities themselves. They need to be at risk. In other words, you need to be sort of the farmer that bears a risk of this production. 35 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:14.850 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If you go to the website if you will talk about the application here in a little bit. But it's that part is very simple. I think that 36 00:07:15.630 --> 00:07:21.840 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: In general, if you're a farmer, you're going to to not have a great deal of eligibility problems. 37 00:07:22.830 --> 00:07:28.020 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: One of the things that people are tend to be curious about is like, well, it might too small. 38 00:07:28.470 --> 00:07:43.830 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And have an operation and not the answer that question is to know that if you are producing and you're producing a commodity for sell, even if you have a relatively small operation, you're not going to be kicked out of the program just based on that size. 39 00:07:44.910 --> 00:07:55.260 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And the information that is on the USGA website is helpful. I would also add that farmers legal action group has created 40 00:07:55.950 --> 00:08:15.420 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: A guide to see fab it's online, yet the pharmaceutical Action Group website and it gives a lot of details over each of these little sort of Piney picky points that may arise over time. And that includes eligibility for producers so 41 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:21.120 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I think you were trying to keep it brief and concise and I think 42 00:08:22.380 --> 00:08:36.540 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Megan unless you have a thought here. I think eligibility for the producers is not going to be a significant problem for people, as long as they really do have an ownership interest in in the commodity being produced. 43 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:43.740 Megan L Roberts: I agree entirely and we have seen some questions that people submitted ahead of time about 44 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:55.350 Megan L Roberts: Am I too small, which Stephen can to that there there's actually more rules about being too large, than there are about being too small. So there are some payment limitation. 45 00:08:56.100 --> 00:09:10.620 Megan L Roberts: But that is more of what you'll see as a focus on farmers, cuz then you will about having a smaller amount of farm that key is, do you have risk and are you selling a product 46 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:22.770 Megan L Roberts: So now we've talked a little bit about the eligibility for producers, so you might be an eligible producer, but you might not have a commodity that's eligible. This is really 47 00:09:23.130 --> 00:09:32.730 Megan L Roberts: Particularly for specialty crop producers here in Minnesota, where we've seen some issues with this, the fat program. So there are 48 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:47.340 Megan L Roberts: Several broad categories that are included and eligible commodities for the fastest specialty crops non specialty crops will nurse your crop and cut flowers and then on the next slide. I'm going to get into the livestock. 49 00:09:47.820 --> 00:10:02.070 Megan L Roberts: As we're talking about specifically the specialty crop side of things here in Minnesota, you might want to be thinking about products such as apples maple syrup. 50 00:10:02.400 --> 00:10:15.990 Megan L Roberts: early season lettuces and greenhouse production because in terms of the time frame which is January 15 to April 15, a lot of the eligible commodities. 51 00:10:16.350 --> 00:10:21.720 Megan L Roberts: That are included in FIFA weren't in season here in Minnesota. So 52 00:10:22.020 --> 00:10:37.530 Megan L Roberts: You have to not only be producing that commodity, but you have to have either sales or prevented sales during that January 15 of April 15 time one and that is just part of this particular program that timeframe. 53 00:10:38.370 --> 00:10:47.070 Megan L Roberts: So between April 15 and January 15 for specialty crops. Did you have failed of any production. 54 00:10:48.390 --> 00:11:03.840 Megan L Roberts: Did you have any shipped. But until sold or spoiled produce and then did you have any and shipped or unharvested produce again. All of these things have to be 55 00:11:05.070 --> 00:11:09.810 Megan L Roberts: Looking at this slide and I realized that I have April 15 IN FRONT OF JANUARY 15 should be 56 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:15.540 Megan L Roberts: Inverted between January 15 and April 15 of this year 2020 57 00:11:16.410 --> 00:11:24.000 Megan L Roberts: And of course here in Minnesota. We have the problem that it's the middle of winter during most of that time frame. 58 00:11:24.270 --> 00:11:31.620 Megan L Roberts: And for specialty production. We do have a bit of an issue here with the fact that there are some of those exceptions. 59 00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:41.880 Megan L Roberts: Just want to reiterate apples might be if you had apples in storage. You're doing maple syrup production early season lettuces greenhouse production. 60 00:11:42.450 --> 00:11:48.240 Megan L Roberts: Very early season flowers might be something to think about for special to production. 61 00:11:49.110 --> 00:12:02.580 Megan L Roberts: Of course, there's also non specialty productions to see have any grain that wasn't storage that might be eligible as well. And then there's also livestock that's eligible and we're seeing for smaller farms. 62 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:11.550 Megan L Roberts: That might focus more on some niche markets. It's the livestock that might be more relevant and some of the specialty crop production. 63 00:12:11.910 --> 00:12:21.150 Megan L Roberts: Cattle actually has pretty significant payments within the fat program. And that's not just beef cattle. If you do have dairy production. 64 00:12:21.450 --> 00:12:32.070 Megan L Roberts: Well, the milk is eligible. If you have animals on your farm that are not destined for the milking heard or a part of your melting hurt. They also count for the cattle payments. 65 00:12:32.880 --> 00:12:50.400 Megan L Roberts: Within the other parameters of the fat SHEEP AND THAT IS ONE OF THE COMMODITIES THAT HAS BECOME MORE eligible as time has gone on. So that was something where, at first it was only sleep under two years now. Any sheep. 66 00:12:51.570 --> 00:13:06.720 Megan L Roberts: Based on the other eligibility of time on farm sales etc do qualify hogs have a qualification dairy. That is something I learned recently is that it has to be 67 00:13:07.380 --> 00:13:23.340 Megan L Roberts: bovine dairy. So on virtually no sheep or goat dairy, but it means sort of milk from cows is eligible. And one thing that as we were talking about this webinar and thinking about what questions, folks might have 68 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:33.510 Megan L Roberts: We realize that something that's very different from the specialty crops fruits and vegetables to perhaps specialty livestock production. 69 00:13:33.990 --> 00:13:42.060 Megan L Roberts: Is that when it comes to eligibility for your fruit and vegetables. We're really talking about stored items here in Minnesota. 70 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:50.160 Megan L Roberts: And then sales of products, but when it comes to livestock, we're talking about live animals so store meat. 71 00:13:50.730 --> 00:14:10.950 Megan L Roberts: For example, would not be something that is eligible, even if you lost a Farm to School type of contract or a farm to daycare tight contract that isn't an eligible. We're looking for a live animal fail or inventory 72 00:14:14.490 --> 00:14:27.090 Megan L Roberts: So just reiterate, it's on the hook animal and we have that total owned underpriced inventory sold. So a sale that occurred between January 15 of April 15 73 00:14:27.810 --> 00:14:32.880 Megan L Roberts: Somewhat similar when we're talking about the specialty crops so still looking at that same time frame. 74 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:47.970 Megan L Roberts: And then there's an additional payment for your highest inventory on a single date of the producers choosing between April 16 and may 14 and that really corresponds to some of the issues that were happening with 75 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:58.950 Megan L Roberts: Slaughter capacity being down. So that's where that comes into play, particularly with our beef and cause producers, but 76 00:14:59.550 --> 00:15:14.730 Megan L Roberts: There is multiple eligibility across that when it comes to dairy. We've got a little bit different. Our, our thought is that we have left your producers on this webinar. But if you have specific questions about the dairy, please do put those into the CAP. 77 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:33.060 Megan L Roberts: So again, I'm going to hand it off to Stephen here as we talked about, what is the process of setting up a farm. The you figured out if you're an eligible producer and maybe started figuring out if you're having eligible commodity. How would you go about setting up your farm with FSA. 78 00:15:35.550 --> 00:15:37.680 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's making it might just add 79 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:56.190 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: One one thought on the livestock eligibility to. There was a recent change where eggs are now eligible and they were not before. And also there was an odd restriction on sheep were originally 80 00:15:57.810 --> 00:16:09.240 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: You know we was only younger sheep under 202 years and now it's everything. And I just I i think i would follow up with Megan and emphasize that 81 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:17.250 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: You know, we know that USDA has not done a good job. Sometimes in dealing with livestock producers with their various programs. 82 00:16:17.640 --> 00:16:33.900 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: But this one actually does work. I mean, if you have, if you have a cow calf operation. It is pretty darn simple to sign up, whether you sold animals or or kept them through this period. So I'm one of the question is 83 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.130 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Quickly, we're 84 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:53.550 Megan L Roberts: Going back and forth a little bit here. Yeah, because we both have a few different perspectives to add just one quick note on the eggs is it's liquid and frozen eggs. So if you're doing, for example, farmers market egg or you have a CSA where you're 85 00:16:54.750 --> 00:17:14.130 Megan L Roberts: Putting out eggs on a regular basis. That is likely not going to qualify. So there are still some things where people are out of the loop here but I totally agree with Stephen there is more eligibility for livestock producers then is typical of most FFA program. 86 00:17:17.430 --> 00:17:27.480 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So that the question that some people have to is, well, I don't really deal with USDA. Can I really do this. Is this possible for me. 87 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:38.280 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And it's a good question. I mean, there are a lot of many, many farms in Minnesota, where they have a routine every day relationship practically with FSA. 88 00:17:38.610 --> 00:17:50.910 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So they've done the farm number. They've done conservation compliance. A lot of things are very familiar to them. And so, but there are a number of people, especially direct marketers specialty crop people 89 00:17:51.840 --> 00:18:00.000 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Who really have not had much of an interaction with USDA and so for those people. There are going to be a few more steps involved. 90 00:18:01.020 --> 00:18:11.220 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I will say that USDA has a hotline, you can call in my general sense is that they're fairly helpful to people who are just starting out. I mean, they 91 00:18:11.490 --> 00:18:19.950 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: They like the idea that you would be coming in for the first time, or let's hope they like the idea that will be coming in for the first time and becoming engaged in those programs. 92 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:36.600 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And as long as you know you are just a basic farm, you're gonna have to do some farms, but it's not going to be extremely difficult. So you don't have to be a corporate entity, you can just be out there farming. 93 00:18:37.470 --> 00:18:53.910 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: But you're going to have to do the paperwork and some of it is going to seem very odd. I mean, there's a forum where you have to certify that you don't have an adjusted gross income of over $750,000. Well, that would be, of course, almost everybody 94 00:18:54.990 --> 00:19:03.630 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And so that will seem weird and you're going to have to to us to say that you're not in violation of contemplation combined compliance laws. 95 00:19:04.290 --> 00:19:07.920 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That are important for us to programs, but in general. 96 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:18.780 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If you have far if you have a farm and and you have a tax identification number and that can be your just your own personal number or the entity. If you have one 97 00:19:19.170 --> 00:19:35.490 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If you just have the basic information. It's a matter of filling out the forms and so I know there's some people out there that just don't want to do with FSA, that's fine. But if you are willing to do this. It's not overly burdensome. It's, it's not as much as a headache. As you might suspect 98 00:19:36.630 --> 00:19:36.990 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: makin 99 00:19:40.170 --> 00:19:46.140 Megan L Roberts: Yes, I would agree there's just some basic forums and to follow up with that. 100 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:55.020 Megan L Roberts: Stephen, I believe you are going to be mentioned a little bit and you did already start to hint at it the skepticism applying if you are someone that isn't 101 00:19:55.650 --> 00:20:05.460 Megan L Roberts: Used to working with FFA or you prefer not to create a relationship with FFA, then this might not be the right program for you. 102 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:23.610 Megan L Roberts: But it is a governmental program that is there for farmers to use if they are eligible for it and we have ongoing impacts of coven certainly the impact didn't end on April 15 so 103 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:38.490 Megan L Roberts: If you are one dream. Have I been impacted by Kobe. The answer is probably yes. And this is for better for worse, kind of the program that we really have an agriculture as the signature. 104 00:20:39.090 --> 00:20:48.030 Megan L Roberts: Program to help has some relief from these lower prices even hear more that you'd like to share on this particular topic. 105 00:20:48.810 --> 00:20:50.880 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I would just say it's 106 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:56.610 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: The farm world is interesting. And people have such a variety of views. 107 00:20:56.790 --> 00:21:05.340 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: There are people out there that are going to feel like, Well, I didn't really hurt me that much. But the reality is if you have livestock or you have any of these commodities that are eligible 108 00:21:05.610 --> 00:21:10.890 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's already been certified that your price that you received it went down because of coded 109 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:18.270 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And so you are hurt by it and now whether you want it to participate in programs, that's up to you. 110 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:29.730 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: But that's one thing that we sometimes hear is, like, well, other people are suffering. When I am well. Yeah, maybe. But so, but you are hurt and it's your right to apply if that's what you wish to do 111 00:21:30.570 --> 00:21:41.940 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I would also add that if you do this, USDA program you're not committed to doing anything else. You know, it's not like they're suddenly going to besieged you with all sorts of additional requirements. 112 00:21:43.410 --> 00:21:57.120 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: The and I think it's, there's real money here. This is not just nickels and dimes, there are certain certain specialty crops, where the prices seem very low. It's easy to look it up and see kind of how much you would get 113 00:21:58.290 --> 00:22:04.320 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Megan's going to talk a little bit about sort of the online tools you can use to figure out what you're eligible for 114 00:22:05.370 --> 00:22:19.230 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: To me it's worth the time to just figure it out and then make an informed decision. We don't care whether you know we doesn't hurt our feelings. If you don't apply. We're not USDA, but we just want you to make an informed decision. 115 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.260 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That capital Utley 116 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:29.850 Megan L Roberts: So talking about that informed decision. Let's say we've moved on to the point now where we've decided we're going to apply. 117 00:22:30.510 --> 00:22:38.130 Megan L Roberts: We've set up our farm. If we didn't already have a farm setup. There are really three different options that you can 118 00:22:38.850 --> 00:22:52.140 Megan L Roberts: Use in order to apply depending on what type of farm, you are if you are a sole proprietor, you can use the online version, you can really complete just about everything online. 119 00:22:52.560 --> 00:23:03.720 Megan L Roberts: And you can do semi online if you're someone that wants to go to the website, do a little research, get your forms ready and then you're going to utilize 120 00:23:05.250 --> 00:23:09.060 Megan L Roberts: You know, a re upload in order to complete the process maybe 121 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:17.940 Megan L Roberts: Have a quick phone call with your local FSA or you can do a more traditional 122 00:23:19.050 --> 00:23:33.300 Megan L Roberts: Semi office visit FSA, like so many of us are impacted by coronavirus and social distancing protocols. So you're likely going to be doing something that's online with a 123 00:23:33.570 --> 00:23:47.160 Megan L Roberts: Drop off at your local FSA office. You can find information about where your FSA is if you're not familiar with them, don't know their number and you can find that online extension offices have been willing to look that up for people if 124 00:23:48.270 --> 00:24:01.320 Megan L Roberts: So if you're watching this webinar and you have some internet capability, but we have been taking phone calls to those, you know, a neighbor that doesn't have internet accessibility, we can look things up for you. 125 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:07.980 Megan L Roberts: And then after you get to the point of deciding how you're going to ply 126 00:24:09.030 --> 00:24:18.570 Megan L Roberts: If you do choose not to do one of the online auction and you are working with your FSA office. It might still be helpful to take a look online first 127 00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:34.110 Megan L Roberts: Because you could fill out the forms have everything prepared and then your FSA office if they choose to re enter the information to at least have it all gathered up to make it a more seamless quick process. 128 00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:55.650 Megan L Roberts: So let's take a look at what an example might look like. This is the application generator. I just took a screenshot right from Excel. I didn't have any special access. I just took this from farmers.gov slash feedback and 129 00:24:56.940 --> 00:25:04.470 Megan L Roberts: Imagined. I was a vegetable producer and I sell product at farmer's markets and through a CSA here in Minnesota. 130 00:25:05.070 --> 00:25:16.590 Megan L Roberts: Challenge was because of the time line of January 15 April 15 none of my vegetable production qualified because I didn't have that struggle. 131 00:25:17.010 --> 00:25:28.020 Megan L Roberts: In the ground. Well, maybe they were in the round. They certainly weren't growing yet on April 15 here in Minnesota. But in addition to my vegetable production. 132 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:37.260 Megan L Roberts: I also raised about 50 feet and I have 10 cow calf pairs. So I have a nice little sizable livestock operation. 133 00:25:37.770 --> 00:25:54.120 Megan L Roberts: And perhaps I wasn't even thinking about that at first when I thought about the coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Maybe it was more thinking about my medical production but turns out livestock is actually where I am eligible to get a payment so 134 00:25:56.040 --> 00:26:01.170 Megan L Roberts: In this fictitious example here we have a 135 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:17.400 Megan L Roberts: Sale of 10 lambs that happened between January 15 and April 15 so I put that in as sold inventory. So I own those lambs out right I had risked on them and I sold them down the road and 136 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:32.550 Megan L Roberts: I sold them from a little bit less than what I would have liked to have because prices were lower due to coronavirus then later between April 16 and may 14 I still had 20 seats. 137 00:26:33.780 --> 00:26:44.010 Megan L Roberts: On my property that I didn't do anything with. They were just on my property as owned inventory. So I would put that into the second column. 138 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:48.720 Megan L Roberts: The Excel file is going to calculate my payments. 139 00:26:49.950 --> 00:26:51.120 Megan L Roberts: Automatically here. 140 00:26:52.470 --> 00:26:54.960 Megan L Roberts: Then I had one 141 00:26:56.400 --> 00:27:05.100 Megan L Roberts: Older than two year old sheet that I sold between April 15 and January 15 so I put that here. And I also like to keep my seat. 142 00:27:05.760 --> 00:27:19.860 Megan L Roberts: You know, around longer. I want to keep my my us past the age of two years. So I had 20 sheet that originally didn't qualify, but because of changes now do qualify for a small payment, but put those numbers in 143 00:27:20.280 --> 00:27:27.600 Megan L Roberts: Then I have my 10 cow calf tears. I have to match up my calves as being theater catalysts and 600 pounds. 144 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:36.300 Megan L Roberts: So even though there are small cap. According to the definition by FSA. I would put them as under 600 pounds. 145 00:27:37.290 --> 00:27:49.050 Megan L Roberts: And then I look up and see how do they classify my beef cows and that is as all other cattle. I put that in this 10 and the Excel file calculates it for me. 146 00:27:49.650 --> 00:28:01.410 Megan L Roberts: But I would be ready and prepared to answer questions of FSA when I present this data, you might have some additional questions. Can you describe your crowd. 147 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:07.680 Megan L Roberts: To make sure that you're hitting the right different categories, because there are quite a few different categories for cattle. 148 00:28:08.070 --> 00:28:20.310 Megan L Roberts: And pigs and hogs. You have to separate it out by weight. Do you want to have some documentation ready, but when it comes to the actual form that put me in a pretty minimal amount of information that's really 149 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:24.000 Megan L Roberts: Counting by quantity for livestock. 150 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:39.660 Megan L Roberts: Now when it comes to is he fab alone. That is also a question that we wanted to address in this webinar and it is not alone. This is more akin to a 151 00:28:40.290 --> 00:28:48.660 Megan L Roberts: Lot more akin. It is a direct payment. We are not repayments as long as we have properly. 152 00:28:49.170 --> 00:29:00.750 Megan L Roberts: Applied for the program with eligible commodities. So that would be something if at any point, it was determined that our documentation wasn't correct and we hadn't applied properly. That could be an issue. 153 00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:11.760 Megan L Roberts: But otherwise we're just looking at a direct payment. Now, it's not a direct tax free payment. So just have a quick screenshot here of the schedule so 154 00:29:12.330 --> 00:29:21.780 Megan L Roberts: Generally when you're getting any sort of agricultural program payments from our government, you're going to be putting that into your schedule. So as for a 155 00:29:22.020 --> 00:29:30.270 Megan L Roberts: That we do have that to think about, but otherwise this is not something where we're getting charged interest or going to be asked to repay it in the future. 156 00:29:30.570 --> 00:29:40.770 Megan L Roberts: Unlike some of the other governmental programs that are going on right now, such as the economic entry disaster loan which is very distinctively a loan. 157 00:29:43.800 --> 00:29:52.230 Megan L Roberts: Is if these operate for you. You may need to balance the time it takes to sign up for see fat versus your potential payment. But certainly, once you start calculating 158 00:29:53.490 --> 00:30:11.280 Megan L Roberts: That you could get 500 1000 several thousands 10s of thousands then spending a couple hours filling out an FSA paperwork might become much more beneficial, Stephen. Was there anything that you were wanting to add here. 159 00:30:15.030 --> 00:30:30.240 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Know, one thing that I will remind people, is that the so we have this deadline coming up, September element, we know that there have been some changes and maybe you've gained a bit of information here or elsewhere. 160 00:30:31.020 --> 00:30:36.360 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I would just add that even if you've already submitted an application once 161 00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:51.630 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If you find out that you're eligible for something that's newly eligible or if you just realize, oh, hey, just like Megan's example showed I I did a few specialty crops. I didn't realize I could do my cow calf. 162 00:30:52.530 --> 00:31:03.330 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's okay to submit. Again, I mean fact USGA rules say straight out, you may have already submitted one application. Go ahead and submit 163 00:31:04.170 --> 00:31:14.340 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Provide even more information and add to that application, they won't be won't faze them at all. They are going to kind of expect that and 164 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:21.510 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: The last thing I would say actually by the deadline to. It just reminded me Megaman you pointed out that people could be doing it in person or by mail. 165 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:39.060 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If you have a postmark for September 11 and you do it by mail that according to their, their rules that should be good. But even though it's been extended once, even though they've made changes, you really got to catch that September 11 deadline for you're going to be likely out of luck. 166 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:52.170 Megan L Roberts: Excellent point. And one thing is I was talking to some of my colleagues that happened to both farm, but also work with farmers. Some of the questions that they asked and advise me to 167 00:31:53.010 --> 00:32:05.520 Megan L Roberts: Maybe remind people of on this webinar is know maybe you're a dairy producer and your Creamery has created something where you can put all of your milk information in apply for see fat, but have you thought about corn. 168 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:12.960 Megan L Roberts: Have you thought about your beam and maybe you're a beef producer and you know that the beef payments are very large, but you 169 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:27.630 Megan L Roberts: Do have some some apple sales, you have a small orchard and there was some in storage. So think about am I actually have if I'm taking the time to do this, am I applying for everything that I'm actually eligible for 170 00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:37.410 Megan L Roberts: Next, we wanted to just mention here about spot checking and self certification. 171 00:32:38.970 --> 00:32:46.710 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So here's where we talk a little bit about what goes on kind of behind closed doors that USDA 172 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:58.050 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And I'm sorry to say, hey, you're gonna get a bit of a lawyers view and the lawyers job is to wonder well what happens if things go wrong. So, um, 173 00:32:58.560 --> 00:33:09.360 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's pretty, pretty simple and mainly makes sense. But there are a couple of issues here that people need to understand as they go forward. So 174 00:33:09.870 --> 00:33:26.250 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: When you look at the when you're used to doing a lot of paperwork in your life, and we all kind of our I'm afraid when you look at the CIF application. You can be kind of surprised at how simple it is. It really is very brief you sort of fill in some information and on your go 175 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:43.320 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I AS YOUR LAWYER WANTS TO REMIND YOU THOUGH THAT THIS you'll get calls it is self certification. Like, you don't have to submit any documentation with your application, you just fill it out and off it goes. 176 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:56.100 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: But you need to feel like it just goes without saying you need to honestly think these numbers are correct. You can get in really big trouble if you make things up. 177 00:33:56.580 --> 00:34:12.660 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That's obvious, but further, you need to have some documentation, kind of on your own in the background because you could be asked to provide it. So here's the way this will go, you will submit your document. 178 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:21.330 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: You will self certify that the things that you put in there are true and USDA at the local office is going to review your application. 179 00:34:21.690 --> 00:34:30.690 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And they're going to try to decide whether what you've said is reasonable and whether it's accurate and when they do that. I mean, mainly, they're going to be 180 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:38.400 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Looking at whether this kind of all holds together and make sense, they can ask you for more information. 181 00:34:38.910 --> 00:34:47.430 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And that more information. Can they can ask you for documentation, like, Well, do you have any evidence that your inventory really was that large 182 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:59.250 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And you need to be able to come up with some documented evidence that it was now that documentation could be a lot of different things. Anything from a photograph. 183 00:34:59.670 --> 00:35:11.160 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: To feed records to receipts for sales and inventory that you did on your own and just wrote down. Oh yeah, we keep we keep track this way, all that stuff helps 184 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:27.120 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's not, it's not like it has to be some outside third party third person that confirms every single thing you say is true, but you're going to need to have some on paper evidence or visual evidence that what you're saying. 185 00:35:28.050 --> 00:35:33.150 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Is true, and they can ask you for it even before they approve the application. 186 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:42.000 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So at so maybe they asked you for documentation. Maybe they don't. And it could be, they could ask you about sales inventory, etc. 187 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:49.770 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So USDA then has three choices. They can either approve, in which case you will actually get a check. Pretty soon they can 188 00:35:50.370 --> 00:36:01.950 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: What their, their terminology is adjust your payment. And what that means is they think that what you've put down as a little high. Or maybe a lot high and conceivably even low 189 00:36:02.310 --> 00:36:07.740 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: They can adjust it. They can change the number of to decide what you're eligible for 190 00:36:08.100 --> 00:36:18.300 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So we have a lot of people who are getting checks. They're saying, Well, I'm glad I got approved, but this isn't really what I thought I was going to get very possibly what's happening here is that USDA has adjusted your payment. 191 00:36:19.350 --> 00:36:30.810 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: They can also deny you they can decide that you're not eligible that or for some other reason the numbers just don't work. So you don't deserve anything at all. All these three things can happen. 192 00:36:31.410 --> 00:36:41.220 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And that will be the processing of your application is also the case that you're going to have the right to appeal those decisions. 193 00:36:42.630 --> 00:36:54.690 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And we can talk about that now. So what has not yet happened but will happen eventually, is if you apply, you're going to get a letter. 194 00:36:55.200 --> 00:37:02.040 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And you'll get your check soon, but a lot of people have been paid. But what people haven't been getting so far as I know. 195 00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:09.120 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Is a letter that sort of explained how they got to that number. How they decided what you're eligible for 196 00:37:09.600 --> 00:37:18.420 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And that letter, you're going to get one of these days. If you apply, you just going to say you were denied you're approved, you had an adjustment. 197 00:37:18.930 --> 00:37:24.660 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And then this letter is going to tell you that you have the right to appeal that decision. 198 00:37:25.230 --> 00:37:36.120 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And so what that means is you get a chance to say to USDA know you you you're wrong. I actually do deserve this more this this higher level of money. 199 00:37:36.720 --> 00:37:44.280 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And so if you're familiar with USDA, you'll know what an appeal is if you're not, it will be a new thing. And there's a whole process. 200 00:37:44.970 --> 00:38:00.840 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Of USDA appeals. You can criticize them, but they actually do reverse decisions, it can work. I encourage people who feel like they were improperly denied or improperly had their, their benefit, reduced to investigate an appeal. 201 00:38:01.620 --> 00:38:08.610 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I would also suggest if you get in that situation. Go ahead and contact if you're from Minnesota, which I think most of us here are 202 00:38:09.030 --> 00:38:18.330 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Contact the Minnesota farm advocates, they're going to be very helpful. They have a lot of experience in dealing with appeals. And so when they 203 00:38:18.810 --> 00:38:33.300 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Even when you do an appeal or when they ask you for more information. Again, it doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be some sort of like corporate documentation. But you are going to have to be able to show that you 204 00:38:34.050 --> 00:38:44.790 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That the things that you said, have some evidence behind them. So that's the appeals process though. One thing I also wanted to add 205 00:38:45.810 --> 00:38:46.770 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Is that 206 00:38:48.870 --> 00:38:50.640 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: We have, we 207 00:38:51.690 --> 00:39:01.050 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: In this country we have often assume that almost all farmers are white men in reality we know that's never been true. And it's especially not true now. 208 00:39:01.710 --> 00:39:10.710 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And there are a lot of great things about USDA. But one of the things they've had a great deal of problems with in the past is discrimination i mean it's it's 209 00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:26.310 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: A just a reality. And so if you are somebody that feels like you have been discriminated against based on your race your gender, your ethnicity. You have a right to file discrimination complaint with USDA 210 00:39:27.330 --> 00:39:32.400 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: They have information on any letter. They sent to you that tells you 211 00:39:32.970 --> 00:39:45.510 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: How to contact people about this if you want. If you feel like you are discriminated against and want to file a complaint I encourage you to send me an email or an email to flag or call 212 00:39:45.900 --> 00:39:53.310 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Flag farmers legal action group, we are really committed to try to make sure that the discrimination doesn't happen. 213 00:39:53.670 --> 00:40:07.740 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I mean the discrimination is wrong, but it's also illegal. So, so let's not tolerate it. And it's, I don't really want to dwell on it, but I just want everybody to know that you do not have to just let it go. There are rules that can stay 214 00:40:11.160 --> 00:40:11.490 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Megan. 215 00:40:13.680 --> 00:40:26.310 Megan L Roberts: Thank you so much for that really important information. So lastly, before we hand it to Jeremy yassky we wanted to mention season 2.0 because that has been give me a little bit of 216 00:40:27.090 --> 00:40:51.210 Megan L Roberts: Interest in the media and there is very importantly, a question marks behind the fab 2.0 because while it could happen and we do actually have our Secretary of Agriculture on record saying that it very well might happen. We don't know everything about it. We do need to rely a bit on 217 00:40:52.350 --> 00:41:03.330 Megan L Roberts: The wellness. Not a bit. We need to rely on the actual facts and the actual facts right now or that we have a safe at 1.0 and the deadline is September 11 218 00:41:03.750 --> 00:41:16.260 Megan L Roberts: So at this point, it's really important to figure out if you are eligible for this round to see fab. We might have another round coming maybe 219 00:41:19.710 --> 00:41:22.470 Megan L Roberts: Anything else to add on that Stephen 220 00:41:24.600 --> 00:41:25.170 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I think 221 00:41:26.850 --> 00:41:35.100 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Was emphasized yet again might, but it's enough of a possibility that it's worth paying attention to and and 222 00:41:35.490 --> 00:41:49.440 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: The second round could come from two ways. One, USDA has money that they could use to do this whole thing again and also Congress should they ever return to Washington and do something again. 223 00:41:49.950 --> 00:42:00.240 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: They could create they can authorize and create something similar to see fat or see fab same again 2.0 and change some of the rules, both of those things could happen. 224 00:42:01.980 --> 00:42:13.950 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And so just because you applied this time and then you later here. Oh, there's a new deadline. There's a new program, don't assume that it's something that you already did. 225 00:42:14.790 --> 00:42:26.370 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's just an talking stage, but one of the things they're talking about is what happens about losses that are after April 15 or after the first quarter of the year. 226 00:42:26.820 --> 00:42:33.270 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And when people are talking about a CIF that 2.0 the thing they most often talk about 227 00:42:33.870 --> 00:42:46.080 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Are the losses that occurred after those first three or so months of the year. So especially up in Minnesota. You know we have a lot of our harm that came after mid April. 228 00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:57.570 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: And a second round would actually be quite a good thing in general for for Minnesota producers so heads up. This is all I would say, but don't count on it. 229 00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:59.520 Because it's amazing. Exactly. 230 00:43:00.630 --> 00:43:18.030 Megan L Roberts: And with that, we wanted to make sure you heard from a Minnesota farmer that had the experience of setting up a new farm and one that maybe was not as familiar with working with FFA on a regular basis. So I'm going to hand it off now to Jeremy Jackie. 231 00:43:19.740 --> 00:43:26.340 Jeremy Geske: Alright, thanks. Megan, just briefly, my name's Jeremy jet ski and mushy producer from new pregnant as soda. 232 00:43:27.150 --> 00:43:45.210 Jeremy Geske: Involved with the Minnesota lemon oil producers and Minnesota Suffolk cheap Association amongst mother farm groups but sheep are my farm enterprise. I don't raise any other crops or you know much other livestock to so I, other than she programs I don't participate and 233 00:43:46.380 --> 00:43:48.660 Jeremy Geske: Have a lot of contact with the FSA office so 234 00:43:50.310 --> 00:44:04.140 Jeremy Geske: Many years ago, I used to, to do the wall LDP payments and tell the prices. Got to the point where the amount of paperwork was more than than what I was getting back for a payment and so kind of stopped doing that. 235 00:44:05.310 --> 00:44:11.970 Jeremy Geske: But then this program came along. And so they asked me to kind of share a little bit about how the experience was for me. 236 00:44:13.050 --> 00:44:21.870 Jeremy Geske: I did apply shortly after it opened up so it was one of the first she producers to apply in my county and was Sir County. 237 00:44:23.340 --> 00:44:32.760 Jeremy Geske: A couple things that were difficult than that. I think I've been corrected is all of the the announcements that I saw that were coming out from 238 00:44:33.360 --> 00:44:42.810 Jeremy Geske: The American cheap ministry and others, was that the form was available online. And when I looked at USPS website. I had a terrible time trying to find it. 239 00:44:43.650 --> 00:44:54.630 Jeremy Geske: Gave up after a while and decided to contact my county office and ask for help. The morning that I called didn't realize that was when they do their staff meeting so no one answered my call. 240 00:44:55.290 --> 00:45:08.010 Jeremy Geske: Decided to just stop into the office. It's not that far away. But of course, because of the covert shut down the doors are locked and you're not allowed to go to the office, you have to call and make an appointment and even then, you can't go in the building. 241 00:45:09.090 --> 00:45:16.860 Jeremy Geske: Fortunately, one of our, our wonderful staff people in our county saw me standing outside and came out and explained 242 00:45:17.640 --> 00:45:22.440 Jeremy Geske: The process of what we needed to do and they had a little table set up out in the parking lot and 243 00:45:23.040 --> 00:45:42.060 Jeremy Geske: She asked me what I was there for. And I said, I'm there for to apply for the see fat payments for sheep, and I had brought with me because my experience in the past the few programs that I have applied for required pretty significant documentation. And so I brought in the 244 00:45:43.650 --> 00:45:47.130 Jeremy Geske: receipts that I use for tax purposes for my wolf sales for 245 00:45:48.660 --> 00:46:06.120 Jeremy Geske: I'd also had my list of inventory of lambs and yearlings on hand for that. And so the the FSA staff person just kind of took my information down and then she actually filled out the form for me. 246 00:46:07.590 --> 00:46:17.760 Jeremy Geske: And then called me to ask a few clarifying questions then emailed me the form to sign in self certify and then send it back to her to submit for payment. 247 00:46:18.780 --> 00:46:33.120 Jeremy Geske: And so it really was, you know, other than initially having a hard time finding the form online, which I think has now been corrected or it's easier now to find it in other spots that the staff were very helpful. 248 00:46:34.350 --> 00:46:46.680 Jeremy Geske: But one of the things, if you're not used to applying for things the FSA office doesn't reach out to you and tell you your that you are eligible, you have to kind of go and ask for help and figure that out for yourself. 249 00:46:48.900 --> 00:46:58.830 Jeremy Geske: And so, but one thing that did happen. This summer, the rules changed a little bit. As far as what age of sheep were eligible and since I had already applied. 250 00:46:59.490 --> 00:47:10.740 Jeremy Geske: My FSA office did reach out to me and asked if I had if I wanted to adjust my application based on that change. And so again, that was all done through email back and forth. 251 00:47:11.520 --> 00:47:23.970 Jeremy Geske: To add my older sheep to that inventory. In fact, when that happened, I'd already received a partial payment from my first application. And then the rest of the money came shortly after that. 252 00:47:25.230 --> 00:47:26.130 Jeremy Geske: So it was 253 00:47:27.510 --> 00:47:34.890 Jeremy Geske: relatively painless and easy and like said I was a little bit surprised that I didn't really need any documentation. But I do have it because 254 00:47:35.340 --> 00:47:46.290 Jeremy Geske: Like it was already talked about earlier, I assume at some point, there could be spot checks or if somebody didn't understand a number five number looked odd. I wanted to have just for my own 255 00:47:47.520 --> 00:48:03.090 Jeremy Geske: Peace of mind that I had documentation to verify that the numbers that I submitted and just wanted to touch on a couple other things that were kind of mentioned either an earlier prison part of the presentation or I see some of the questions that were were answered. 256 00:48:04.200 --> 00:48:06.450 Jeremy Geske: Or asked online. 257 00:48:09.720 --> 00:48:20.520 Jeremy Geske: Somebody asked if if well qualified and yes it's based on the total amount pounds of all sold in 2019. And so I had that documentation. 258 00:48:21.750 --> 00:48:31.800 Jeremy Geske: Someone also asked if it, if it mattered if the sheep are for breeding sold for breeding purposes and and yeah, it doesn't. It's just based on the inventory that you have on those specific 259 00:48:32.280 --> 00:48:43.050 Jeremy Geske: after April 15 or the ones that were sold. Prior to that, so it doesn't really matter what they were sold for what purpose. They are your inventory all qualifies for that. 260 00:48:44.070 --> 00:48:51.960 Jeremy Geske: And as far as the comments, you know, one of the things as someone who is pretty involved in various leadership roles and the sheep industry. 261 00:48:52.470 --> 00:49:03.060 Jeremy Geske: As I've talked with other sheep producers, I'm, I'm still kind of surprised how many of them aren't really aware that they are or could be eligible to receive a payment. 262 00:49:03.570 --> 00:49:12.660 Jeremy Geske: Or that they just figure. Well, I've got a small flock. It's really not worth it. And just to kind of test you, Megan gave an example with some numbers and 263 00:49:13.050 --> 00:49:23.370 Jeremy Geske: And and you know my flock is not a lot bigger than what the numbers. Megan put in there. And so for a flock of about 40 us plus some lambs and things like that. 264 00:49:24.420 --> 00:49:31.050 Jeremy Geske: My initial round of payments is going to end up being around $900 and so 265 00:49:32.250 --> 00:49:45.630 Jeremy Geske: You know it's in really for the amount of time I spend. I think all told even considering I drove into the office unnecessarily one day I'd spent less than two hours doing the application work and that sort of thing. So 266 00:49:46.740 --> 00:49:59.520 Jeremy Geske: I mean, that's a pretty good return on investment. And when I thought about you know that one of the comments was well there's other people suffering more than me. And that's kind of how I felt. But I did a little 267 00:50:01.560 --> 00:50:11.430 Jeremy Geske: Work trying to estimate what I thought the coven impact was on my particular flock and I do sell a fair amount of breeding stock early in the spring. 268 00:50:11.820 --> 00:50:28.620 Jeremy Geske: And in largely as a result of things that were cancelled because of coven my sales were down fairly significantly, you know, probably around $1,000. So this first round of payments. Kind of makes up for that loss and my farm. 269 00:50:30.060 --> 00:50:35.940 Jeremy Geske: Now, the other thing is, has been already talked about his prices are much lower and 270 00:50:36.660 --> 00:50:51.210 Jeremy Geske: You know I anticipate not getting as much or as high of a price for the, the ones I will be still selling yet this fall as I normally would. And so if there is a second round of payments. Hopefully that would help offset some of those losses for me as well. 271 00:50:52.320 --> 00:50:57.240 Jeremy Geske: But I just wanted to kind of encourage now she producers and other specialty 272 00:50:57.990 --> 00:51:03.570 Jeremy Geske: crop and livestock producers, if you haven't applied before at least look into it. It doesn't take a long time. 273 00:51:03.960 --> 00:51:09.330 Jeremy Geske: And you might be eligible for more than you might think. At least you know enough to make it worth your time. 274 00:51:10.080 --> 00:51:18.180 Jeremy Geske: To apply in the the thing that I kind of worry about is if a large percentage of us as she producers don't apply. 275 00:51:18.900 --> 00:51:29.790 Jeremy Geske: Then that sort of USDA and our congressmen and women kind of take that as a sign. Well, they didn't really want help. So next time there's a disaster. We might might get left out and so 276 00:51:30.900 --> 00:51:42.870 Jeremy Geske: Take the time to investigate what you qualify for and get your application in it. It really is fairly painless and if you have good FSA staff, which most counties do, they'll, they'll help you through the process. So, 277 00:51:43.920 --> 00:51:48.180 Jeremy Geske: Megan, or anybody. Is there anything that I didn't address that you wanted me to cover 278 00:51:49.410 --> 00:51:56.400 Megan L Roberts: Well, I think you hit all of the major high points there and some really important points that you reiterated 279 00:51:56.730 --> 00:52:08.970 Megan L Roberts: So with that we will open it up to some of the questions, and I believe that obviously Stephen and I are available, but also if there are things that you feel Jeremy could provide insight on 280 00:52:09.570 --> 00:52:18.870 Megan L Roberts: Feel free to drop those into the chat box. We also had some pre submitted questions, and I think that name is going to be 281 00:52:20.160 --> 00:52:23.610 Megan L Roberts: moderating this Q and A portion 282 00:52:25.740 --> 00:52:27.240 Jane G Jewett: Yes, thank you, Megan. 283 00:52:28.350 --> 00:52:40.020 Jane G Jewett: This is James You it. I'm with Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and I will be going through some of the questions that were submitted on the registration form for any of our 284 00:52:40.440 --> 00:52:48.060 Jane G Jewett: panelists to answer, but if anyone wants to put additional questions in either the chat or the Q AMP a box. 285 00:52:49.410 --> 00:53:01.320 Jane G Jewett: I will read those out to our panelists to us. They come in. So, let us go to some of the questions that were submitted with registration. 286 00:53:02.220 --> 00:53:21.870 Jane G Jewett: And some of these have actually been answered. But you know there. This is a big program that covers a lot of different areas. And it can be confusing. So some of this might be a repeat, but we will do that enable it just to make sure that that folks get these points really clear. 287 00:53:23.790 --> 00:53:38.400 Jane G Jewett: Okay, so here's a question. Our wholesale buyer asked for more chickens in winter than lowered the number because of processing issues. So we raised more chickens than last year, but not as many as we had prepared for. Does that count. 288 00:53:40.440 --> 00:54:01.260 Megan L Roberts: Well, that, in theory, sounds like something that would qualify. In the particular case of seeds bad poultry, for the most part, has not been included in this program, we do have the most recent edition of liquid and frozen eggs but no on chicken. 289 00:54:12.660 --> 00:54:14.280 Megan L Roberts: Game, you are still muted. 290 00:54:16.320 --> 00:54:16.950 Jane G Jewett: Oh, thank you. 291 00:54:18.360 --> 00:54:22.410 Jane G Jewett: Okay, here's another question that goes back to 292 00:54:24.720 --> 00:54:33.630 Jane G Jewett: Sheep, maybe, although it just says fiber. So I'm not sure that it actually has shaped it could possibly be Angora goats or alpacas or something but 293 00:54:34.320 --> 00:54:49.470 Jane G Jewett: We don't belong to any farm programs because we have little acreage. However, all my fiber selling events or cancel this year, resulting in at least a $5,000 loss. Can I get any compensation. 294 00:54:51.810 --> 00:55:05.880 Megan L Roberts: Again, in theory, that sounds like something that should qualify it wouldn't be the event cancellation. It is that fiber that you have and it has to be sheep. 295 00:55:06.420 --> 00:55:12.660 Megan L Roberts: Wall. So that would be the determination as to whether you're eligible 296 00:55:13.440 --> 00:55:23.670 Megan L Roberts: Jeremy made such a good point. And it was something that we sort of glossed over as we were trying to go through all of the commodities. She's a little bit different. You're looking at stored inventory 297 00:55:24.570 --> 00:55:34.380 Megan L Roberts: And 2019 production and they have a little formula that you go through but sheeple yes other fibers no event cancellation. 298 00:55:36.000 --> 00:55:36.270 Megan L Roberts: So, 299 00:55:36.300 --> 00:55:45.720 Jeremy Geske: Megan, I'll just add to that. So if the person who asked that question if some of that fiber was wool or if you have wall and you sold wall and 300 00:55:46.590 --> 00:55:55.800 Jeremy Geske: You just need to know the total pounds of wool that you sold in 2019 and you will be eligible for a payment on a percentage of that. I think it's 50% of that. 301 00:55:56.160 --> 00:56:09.840 Jeremy Geske: And then they have a formula that figures out your actual payments. So it's not a high amount, but for those of us who have medium to poor quality wilner sheep. It is definitely more than you actually received for the sale of all if you sold it in traditional markets. 302 00:56:10.920 --> 00:56:17.400 Jeremy Geske: But probably not as well as you did selling it through the spinning market or other non traditional markets, if that makes sense. 303 00:56:18.510 --> 00:56:30.810 Megan L Roberts: I would definitely recommend the see fat wall section because it's going to talk about, especially for different potential types of law that you can qualify for and two different payment rates. 304 00:56:31.980 --> 00:56:34.980 Megan L Roberts: It's actually not back and give me when you just see it all in front of you. 305 00:56:37.770 --> 00:56:48.480 Jane G Jewett: Okay, here's a question that came into the Q AMP a box that is related we sell our will, as processed. You're not wrong, is it eligible for CFL 306 00:56:52.110 --> 00:57:02.820 Megan L Roberts: Rated clean basis law guys have a specific payment. They're not going to get the full value of that your net 307 00:57:03.840 --> 00:57:10.350 Megan L Roberts: But yes, there is a great and clean basis and there is a non great increasing basis so 308 00:57:13.770 --> 00:57:15.990 Megan L Roberts: Not exactly by yes sorta 309 00:57:18.060 --> 00:57:19.890 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Logic of that which sounds 310 00:57:19.890 --> 00:57:32.880 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Strange is that in theory, they're helping people with their, their loss on our commodity. They're not helping people who they're not helping with the value added aspect. 311 00:57:34.710 --> 00:57:52.410 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So, for if you think about a dairy. Okay, it's, it's the pounds of milk that make you eligible. If you have an on farm ice cream operation. They're not concerned into this program of the losses, you had due to not having retail ice cream. 312 00:57:55.440 --> 00:58:03.660 Jane G Jewett: Okay. This question I'm going to read relates to that topic of niche sales value added. 313 00:58:05.400 --> 00:58:10.020 Jane G Jewett: Things that are sold for more dollars than commodity. 314 00:58:11.250 --> 00:58:24.660 Jane G Jewett: As a farmer with specialty niche direct to consumer with livestock sales are there different tiers of support, meaning I am a completely different market than a commodity producer different feed prices. 315 00:58:25.170 --> 00:58:42.630 Jane G Jewett: Processing etc, or is this one price across the board for our operation. We were told me we get $550 yet my hogs are raised for one year, because they're not equipped growing breed $1,000 per hog at processing. 316 00:58:44.610 --> 00:58:48.450 Jane G Jewett: Appears to be what they get paid. But I can't get my animals. 317 00:58:52.560 --> 00:59:11.100 Megan L Roberts: Yeah, that exactly hit on the point that Stephen just made this is a commodity focused program. And so it does miss out on some of those value added returns that likely are being lost. Just like commodity values are being lost. 318 00:59:11.640 --> 00:59:29.640 Megan L Roberts: So there, there isn't necessarily just a one size fits all payment. They do have some slight split outs in the livestock, a little bit more confusing than that, but it is one size fits all, and that it is trying to compensate for commodity losses, not some of that value added. 319 00:59:30.990 --> 00:59:33.810 Megan L Roberts: High value high production that this question. 320 00:59:35.250 --> 00:59:36.180 Megan L Roberts: Is getting at. 321 00:59:38.130 --> 00:59:41.310 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: So, so this person would be eligible, it's just they're not 322 00:59:41.640 --> 00:59:43.470 Megan L Roberts: Doing anything close 323 00:59:43.530 --> 00:59:44.700 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: To what they were. 324 00:59:46.320 --> 00:59:55.110 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: reasonably be expected from all their work and their genetics and their everything they've done doesn't get reflected in what they received 325 00:59:55.740 --> 01:00:04.740 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: It's what somebody wrote in a question that that we received before was like who who basically who got kind of 326 01:00:05.280 --> 01:00:22.080 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Short Cut the short end of the seat that stick and this person who just has that question is a prime example of people who are. It's really not working very well for them. They use the broad brush, in many cases, and it's really unfortunate but that 327 01:00:23.130 --> 01:00:24.840 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That's the reality. I'm sorry to say. 328 01:00:27.840 --> 01:00:38.220 Jane G Jewett: Yeah, so that leads into that question that Steven mentioned from the registration form and maybe the panelists can talk about it a little bit more broadly. 329 01:00:38.880 --> 01:00:53.760 Jane G Jewett: Because there are opportunities to provide comments back to USDA or to elected representatives about what was missed what is still needed. So who has not been well served by this program. 330 01:00:56.700 --> 01:01:06.660 Megan L Roberts: The last question answer or questions submitter would not have been something that was well served by this program. 331 01:01:07.200 --> 01:01:24.750 Megan L Roberts: And I would say in general value added niche specialty crop producers, although this program does for one of the first time try very hard to include some of these specialty craft producers, which are typically left out of FS a program 332 01:01:25.320 --> 01:01:39.330 Megan L Roberts: Up here in Minnesota we have that challenge of it being kind of the wrong time of year January 15 April 15. We know that losses are happening after that fast, but the timeframe for most of us is January 15 of April 15 333 01:01:39.870 --> 01:01:47.580 Megan L Roberts: nether really big challenge for Minnesota specialty craft producers that it was wintertime, essentially. 334 01:01:49.500 --> 01:01:50.130 Jane G Jewett: And I would just 335 01:01:50.910 --> 01:02:01.290 Jeremy Geske: You guys covered this a little bit already but yeah it's the nice thing about the program is it does include a lot more of us that typically aren't included in some of the programs. It just may not 336 01:02:02.520 --> 01:02:11.940 Jeremy Geske: You know, just the ease of getting something done. It probably doesn't compensate everyone perfectly fairly but at least we're all eligible for something, if that makes sense. 337 01:02:12.570 --> 01:02:27.510 Jeremy Geske: But I know from the specialty the value added. I also know on the sheep side, some of our lamb feedlots probably didn't get nearly enough of a payment to make up for what their losses were when Lance shut down and prices really went in the tank so 338 01:02:28.590 --> 01:02:33.330 Jeremy Geske: It's better than nothing, but it certainly doesn't make up for all that we've lost 339 01:02:35.430 --> 01:02:49.710 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: A lot of people would add to further add to the that to answer the question. The exclusion of all poultry allows a lot of people scratching their heads and, you know, that's a big segment of agriculture and 340 01:02:50.880 --> 01:02:59.790 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I don't quite understand and how they reach that conclusion. But if you look for somebody that didn't get help by this program poultry is one 341 01:03:02.820 --> 01:03:10.230 Jane G Jewett: Thank you. Why is the program restricted to between January 15 and April 15 of 2020 342 01:03:12.450 --> 01:03:29.250 Megan L Roberts: Not all of it is restricted. There are some different date ranges, a very actually includes, for example, quarter to they do multiplication factor from Q1 records in order to include quarter to will is actually based on 343 01:03:30.270 --> 01:03:34.230 Megan L Roberts: Production that still is in storage multiplied by a 344 01:03:35.370 --> 01:03:50.490 Megan L Roberts: multiplication factor grain similar. So there are some different nuances, I think, in general, January 15 of April 15 if you look at when this came out in May. It was numbers that we had records for at the time. And we're trying to 345 01:03:51.990 --> 01:04:00.150 Megan L Roberts: To follow the rules but force by Congress to get this program out there with the information that we had at the time. 346 01:04:01.980 --> 01:04:02.130 Megan L Roberts: And 347 01:04:02.460 --> 01:04:03.570 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I think to that. 348 01:04:05.640 --> 01:04:18.540 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: In. It's a little bit hard to understand what Congress or the secretaries thinking ever but i think i think the theory was there trying to get at the 349 01:04:18.870 --> 01:04:26.910 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Losses which were directly caused by the coronavirus. I mean, there are a lot of farmers that struggled for six or seven years. Now, the point of 350 01:04:27.300 --> 01:04:42.450 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Program wasn't to make them right and and put them in good shape. He was to respond directly to losses caused by the coronavirus. I think that's the logic. And so that's why you get that late start date and and yeah i mean 351 01:04:44.880 --> 01:04:45.720 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: That would be my take. 352 01:04:50.460 --> 01:04:51.390 Jane G Jewett: All right. 353 01:04:53.370 --> 01:04:56.220 Jane G Jewett: There are three questions about specific 354 01:04:57.600 --> 01:05:05.400 Jane G Jewett: Types of production and I'll ask those to gather questions about whether beekeeping is eligible 355 01:05:06.450 --> 01:05:13.500 Jane G Jewett: Maple syrup and seed corn production to name three very different types of products. 356 01:05:15.120 --> 01:05:21.060 Megan L Roberts: Honey is not something that is included in the the fab program. 357 01:05:22.860 --> 01:05:35.910 Megan L Roberts: Second was maple syrup. It was not originally, but yes, it is now included and that is actually something where a Minnesota specialty crop producer. If you are a maple syrup producer. 358 01:05:36.510 --> 01:05:43.980 Megan L Roberts: Definitely check out farmers.gov contact your FSA and see what information is needed that. 359 01:05:44.280 --> 01:05:53.040 Megan L Roberts: Qualifies and all three of the different specialty crop production categories. You just need to figure out what is relevant to your maple syrup production. 360 01:05:53.490 --> 01:06:08.790 Megan L Roberts: So they're measuring the sap side of it, not to finish maple syrup. That's value added. But the commodity that goes into it, the fat and then seeing corn also is something that would qualify generally under the corn. 361 01:06:09.810 --> 01:06:25.860 Megan L Roberts: Payment and there is specific language about seeing current production in FS is handbook. So you'd want to probably contact your local FSA and make sure that you're getting that actually accounted for. 362 01:06:27.300 --> 01:06:36.510 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: GOOD MEMORY Megan, I hope people realize there are hundreds of come on it's admission just answer it off the top of her head either been saying, hold on, let me look that 363 01:06:40.500 --> 01:06:47.100 Jane G Jewett: Yep. We are very proud of our presenters for these webinars. Thank you, all of you for doing such a great job. 364 01:06:48.240 --> 01:06:51.450 Jane G Jewett: We have a few more minutes. So a few more questions. 365 01:06:54.150 --> 01:06:59.700 Jane G Jewett: You answered the one about will and types of role and then in the same 366 01:07:01.260 --> 01:07:14.310 Jane G Jewett: Question on the registration form and asked, how about goats, and I'm going to take that to mean goat meat is there already, or goats raised for me. I mean, because we're talking about animals on the left so interesting. 367 01:07:15.150 --> 01:07:16.680 Jane G Jewett: Goats, please don't 368 01:07:17.670 --> 01:07:30.960 Megan L Roberts: Go. It's fall into one of those categories along with poultry where it's a whole species that was really left out the the fat program so 369 01:07:32.280 --> 01:07:39.450 Megan L Roberts: Whether meat or whether Angora we're not seeing that represented in this particular program. 370 01:07:42.990 --> 01:07:43.500 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: No milk. 371 01:07:43.620 --> 01:07:44.970 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Okay, either. 372 01:07:45.030 --> 01:07:46.710 Megan L Roberts: Know, Malcolm. Yeah. 373 01:07:48.060 --> 01:08:00.930 Megan L Roberts: I actually have some signs of your family close family that are a goat dairy and I was going to try to encourage them, you know, Texas out and no needs to be bold buy milk. 374 01:08:05.820 --> 01:08:16.260 Jane G Jewett: All right, here's a question. I'm surprised I might be eligible for assistance as a retail Apple grower slash hard cider maker. But maybe I am. I'd love to find out. 375 01:08:17.880 --> 01:08:19.290 Jane G Jewett: I think just reiterate 376 01:08:19.800 --> 01:08:23.400 Jane G Jewett: The other points made about value added. But please 377 01:08:24.840 --> 01:08:37.200 Megan L Roberts: Yes, so yes to the apple commodity. If you had stored Apple either true sales or a loss of a shipment. 378 01:08:38.160 --> 01:08:52.410 Megan L Roberts: Loss of ability to have a retail outlet during January 15 of April 15 but if we're talking about your finished hard cider, for example, that just isn't going to be something that is covered by this program. 379 01:08:57.420 --> 01:09:06.960 Megan L Roberts: I was just gonna say look at the apple and qualifications under specialty crop production or just call your local FFA and they can walk you through that even 380 01:09:07.740 --> 01:09:10.110 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: I was gonna say that that's a good candidate for 381 01:09:10.440 --> 01:09:26.850 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: A seat that 2.0 as you were calling it because if you extend the timelines out then you, you begin to have people who have should have a crop that they can't market or that they market for less because of Kobe. So that's a, that's a wider, keep your ears open 382 01:09:30.090 --> 01:09:40.470 Jane G Jewett: All right, I want to acknowledge a couple of questions that came in on the registration form that are much broader than this particular see fat program. 383 01:09:41.010 --> 01:09:54.120 Jane G Jewett: And are beyond what the panelists were prepared to talk about today, but I want to give Teresa, Kevin. He an opportunity to talk about them just a little bit because there are efforts going on. 384 01:09:54.930 --> 01:10:06.600 Jane G Jewett: So one of them is what steps have been taken to alleviate the processing bottleneck and prevent its reoccurrence and then a related. One is I would like to hear about long term. 385 01:10:07.380 --> 01:10:16.860 Jane G Jewett: Plans for restructuring and supporting local food systems in the face of more frequent natural disasters and how these kinds of support slow fit into those plans. 386 01:10:20.940 --> 01:10:21.930 Theresa Keaveny: Folks, hear me okay 387 01:10:23.790 --> 01:10:24.060 Jane G Jewett: Yep. 388 01:10:24.630 --> 01:10:34.170 Theresa Keaveny: Great. Well, I'm aware of that on this call our reps from organizations that do work on farm policy. 389 01:10:34.800 --> 01:10:47.310 Theresa Keaveny: And sustainable agriculture and local food policy at the state level as well as in Congress and within the I want to say umbrella of the 390 01:10:47.760 --> 01:11:00.300 Theresa Keaveny: local food producer resiliency workgroup we have the ability to take recommendations for reforms for code for us the fab 2.0 391 01:11:00.810 --> 01:11:06.360 Theresa Keaveny: And advanced them through our respective organizations. I know that's do is on 392 01:11:06.840 --> 01:11:20.940 Theresa Keaveny: With farmers union, I see that Allison dander Wald is on through the Minnesota State cattlemen Association, a number of our organizations are a part of the national sustainable agriculture association. So 393 01:11:21.330 --> 01:11:38.940 Theresa Keaveny: We are certainly taking some of the information gap pieces of information that we're hearing and or the service gap pieces of information we're hearing and will continue to move that ball forward. 394 01:11:39.930 --> 01:11:52.170 Theresa Keaveny: In terms of changing the local foods structure. There are a number of efforts underway and I would say the one that is that I would point to regionally. 395 01:11:52.530 --> 01:12:05.430 Theresa Keaveny: Is an effort to build more resiliency and more technical support for local food producers in southern Minnesota, as well as farmers markets in southern Minnesota 396 01:12:06.510 --> 01:12:20.070 Theresa Keaveny: And it's through a program that's been launched in and supported by the southern Minnesota initiative foundation and it involves renewing the countryside and FFA and Minnesota. Farmers Market Association, and there are 397 01:12:20.790 --> 01:12:23.580 Theresa Keaveny: As I'm learning parallel efforts through 398 01:12:24.270 --> 01:12:37.170 Theresa Keaveny: The I believe it's this west central initiative Foundation and the Northwest Regional sustainable development partnership which is an arm of extension. So I don't know if that answered the question, but 399 01:12:37.620 --> 01:12:56.550 Theresa Keaveny: There are vehicles in place to work on long term structural changes for the local food system that makes it more equitable and that in in has as one of its goals to make the food more accessible to communities who need the food. 400 01:12:59.370 --> 01:13:04.890 Theresa Keaveny: Chain. I have a hard time hearing so I may have missed the essence of that question. 401 01:13:06.180 --> 01:13:20.970 Jane G Jewett: No, I think that was the Teresa. Thank you. And if if folks need more information, feel free to reach out to myself and I can get you connected up to the groups that are working on these various things so 402 01:13:21.720 --> 01:13:22.290 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Jade, can I 403 01:13:23.370 --> 01:13:33.180 Jeremy Geske: Can I add a little bit to that. I just wanted to also say that our State Department of Ag did a great job and working with our local processors to to help allow for more 404 01:13:34.350 --> 01:13:43.500 Jeremy Geske: You know inspection and processing and help to try to alleviate that but it's a major shift in how much, how many animals were suddenly starting to go 405 01:13:44.430 --> 01:13:53.460 Jeremy Geske: Direct to Consumer through smaller local locker plants. I know I live, real close to one of those state inspected plants and they're booked all the way into February. 406 01:13:53.940 --> 01:14:04.890 Jeremy Geske: And never seen it quite like this before. And I think one of the challenges for livestock producers who like to direct market or like me who do a little bit of direct marketing. 407 01:14:05.430 --> 01:14:12.150 Jeremy Geske: Is we don't know if this demand is going to be consistent throughout as things returned to normal. 408 01:14:12.540 --> 01:14:21.030 Jeremy Geske: Um, but if it stays consistent. I think the market demand will will increase. Some of that capacity. If it fluctuates back and forth. 409 01:14:21.420 --> 01:14:29.880 Jeremy Geske: Then, kind of like the question that was posed on the forum about the chickens. The supplier asked for more production and then things fell through. 410 01:14:30.330 --> 01:14:45.870 Jeremy Geske: A lot of us that do direct marketing sort of worry about that is, yeah, we could raise more but then all of a sudden, if, if the direct consumers don't buy or something like that, then we're we're stuck with a higher cost of production and not a good way to recapture that cost so 411 01:14:46.950 --> 01:14:59.370 Jeremy Geske: It's a little bit of a challenge that way. But I wanted to really appreciate the work that the Department of Ag did to help try at least to allow for more more of these animals processing and sold through local locker plants. 412 01:15:00.900 --> 01:15:01.860 Theresa Keaveny: For raising that. 413 01:15:01.890 --> 01:15:11.310 Theresa Keaveny: And know that there's a continued effort and dialogue with Minnesota Department of Agriculture to make a public investment in 414 01:15:12.120 --> 01:15:33.270 Theresa Keaveny: Livestock processing and meat processing for local production and part and parcel with that is addressing the consumer and consumption angle in terms of marketing reliability and so forth, as well as addressing kind of the near term bottlenecks, if you will. 415 01:15:34.950 --> 01:15:49.620 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: If I could add as well I guess a little bit more generally. I've been doing legal work for farmers for 25 years and one of the things that I can say for sure over that time. 416 01:15:50.130 --> 01:16:04.080 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Is that when when farmers get together and self organize and advocate, they can be effective and we've seen, you know, that's all kinds of agriculture and sort of local food direct marketing. 417 01:16:06.360 --> 01:16:21.660 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: You're organized your organizing and your political and social efforts matter. And so it's not going to be changed overnight. It's not going to suddenly become perfect, but the one way that 418 01:16:22.200 --> 01:16:29.970 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Is proven to work over and over is to be active and work together as a collective to try to get things changed. 419 01:16:32.880 --> 01:16:44.370 Jane G Jewett: Thank you. I'm going to wrap this up now because we could you know I'm a livestock producer to and have processing issues, I could talk about this all day long and I expect 420 01:16:45.210 --> 01:16:52.710 Jane G Jewett: Several of us on this call could, but we can't talk all day. So thank you all for coming and 421 01:16:53.610 --> 01:17:10.110 Jane G Jewett: Yeah, reach out if you want to get connected to some of the efforts going on. And thank you very much to our panelists for an excellent webinar which is being recorded and will be posted on the nice a website and I'll send out a link to everybody who registered. Thank you. 422 01:17:10.650 --> 01:17:12.810 Theresa Keaveny: Thanks Jane presenters. 423 01:17:14.700 --> 01:17:16.470 Megan L Roberts: Thank you. Thanks. 424 01:17:17.400 --> 01:17:18.360 Stephen Carpenter - FLAG: Again, everybody. 425 01:17:20.130 --> 01:17:20.460 Jane G Jewett: Thank you.