Distribute pandemic market volatility assistance program monies to dairy farmers who received a lower value due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic and ensuing federal policies

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded Rothenbuhler Cheesemakers, Inc. a $152,095 cooperative agreement under the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP, CFDA 10.183) on January 11, 2022. Rothenbuhler Cheesemakers will distribute Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program monies to eligible dairy farmers who received a lower value for their milk due to market abnormalities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and related federal policies during July through December 2020. In addition to disbursing payments, Rothenbuhler Cheesemakers must obtain adjusted gross income attestations from eligible producers, issue Form 1099-MISC to each reflecting their payment, provide documentation that payments were made according to program rules, and provide dairy policy education to eligible producers. There are no subrecipient activities associated with this award. All funding must be distributed to eligible dairy farmers and activities completed by June 30, 2022.

Recipients will disburse pmvap monies to eligible producers. In additional, recipients must obtain adjusted gross income attestations from eligible producers, issue 1099-misc to each producer reflecting their pmvap payment, provide documentation payments were made in accordance to program rules, and provide dairy policy education to eligible producers. Recipients will disburse all pmvap monies to eligible producers, provide and document dairy policy education efforts, and be subject to payment verification by USDA staff. Dairy farmers whose milk we marketed to a federal milk marketing order regulated handler during july through december 2020 are the intended beneficiaries. There are no subrecipient activities.