Apply now for agriculture funds

While small, rural farms and ranches across the country have been affected by COVID-19, the Wyoming Business Council has a plan in motion to help our local producers.

An agriculture fund has been set aside, a total of $90 million, that will be available for Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers who qualify. Each operation that qualifies could receive up to $250,000.

A couple of stipulations go along with applying for the relief fund, such as having at least one full time employee. The operation must have been adversely impacted as a result of COVID-19 such as a health emergency, supply chain disruptions, decreased demand for products or services or even required closures.

Agricultural produces are able to include actual expenses incurred in addition to normal operating expenses, solely due to the pandemic, for things like livestock feed and supplemental cost, labor costs or specialized services and even extraordinary expenses related to production.

The program opened up on Tuesday, but will be closing on November 18 at 8 p.m. The federal CARES Act requires all funding be allocated and reporting complete before the end of the year, so in order to make that deadline the Wyoming Business Council had to set a November closing date.

If you need help making the decision if you are eligible to apply for funds contact the Wyoming Business Council or visit wyobizrelief.org for additional contact information. On their website you will find webinars, video tutorials and even calculation worksheets to help with your application.