Agriculture producers in Tennessee, Virginia receive millions in pandemic aid from USDA

New data supplied by the US Department of Agriculture says more than 20,000 farmers and ag-based businesses in Tennessee and Virginia have received more than $170 million in coronavirus relief funding.

The funding is provided by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and federal officials are now allocating their second round of funding. The money helps producers with assistance to absorb some of the increased marketing costs related to the pandemic.

Cattle commodities groups were the biggest recipient of funds with $25 million sent to Virginia producers and $32 million to ranchers in Tennessee. Nationwide, farmers have received more than $7 billion through the program.

The agency continues to accept applications that can be accessed by clicking here.

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