From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday awarded $26 million of the coronavirus relief fun for the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program.
The funds directly help Alabama meat and vegetable farmers who struggle to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Agriculture has an economic impact of over $70 billion in the state of Alabama. I know firsthand how hard our farmers work each day, and they are without a doubt a major part of who we are in Alabama,” Ivey said. “Due to COVID-19, numerous farms and processing facilities have struggled to remain open and sell their products. Establishing the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program is not only the right thing to do to protect our farmers, but it also key to stabilizing Alabama’s economy.”
The Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program will be administered through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and will be allocated to the following:
- $10.5 million for Direct payment business stabilization grants to cattle producers
- $1.5 million for Meat Processing Plant Reimbursement program
- $4 million for Poultry Farmer Stabilization Grant program
- $500,000 for Catfish Processor Reimbursement Program
- $500,000 for Fruit and Vegetable Processor Reimbursement program
- $8 million for State Supplement CFAP Grant program
- $1 million for Nursery Grower Reimbursement Program
“We are appreciative of Gov. Ivey’s continued support and recognition of the importance of Alabama’s beef cattle industry,” ACA President Larry Reeves said. “Economic stability is imperative for cattlemen, and these funds will help alleviate the financial stresses incurred from this ongoing pandemic.”