Distribute pandemic marketvolatility assistance program monies to dairy farmers who received alower value due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic andensuing federal policies

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service awarded $1.5 million to the First District Association through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP, CFDA 10.183) cooperative agreement. The purpose of the award is for the Association to distribute PMVAP funds to dairy farmers in Minnesota who received lower prices for their milk during July-December 2020 due to market abnormalities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal policies. In addition to disbursing payments to eligible producers based on production records, the Association must obtain adjusted gross income attestations, issue IRS Form 1099-MISC to each recipient, document payments were made according to program rules, and provide dairy policy education to farmers. No subawards are involved. The award period is January 18, 2022 through June 30, 2022.

Recipients will disburse pmvap monies toeligible producers. In additional, recipients must obtain adjustedgross income attestations from eligible producers, issue 1099-misc toeach producer reflecting their pmvap payment, provide documentationpayments were made in accordance to program rules, and provide dairypolicy education to eligible producers. Recipients will disburse allpmvap monies to eligible producers, provide and document dairy policyeducation efforts, and be subject to payment verification by USDA staff.dairy farmers whose milk we marketed to a federal milk marketing orderregulated handler during july through december 2020 are the intendedbeneficiaries. There are no subrecipient activities.