S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: Section 10.8 of S.L. 2021-180 directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department) to provide financial assistance to swine and dairy farmers using funds appropriated from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

To be eligible for assistance, a swine farmer must produce all of the following: (1) a contract termination letter from a swine integrator or other documentation of contract termination between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022; (2) proof that the swine operation is permitted by the State; and (3) any other information deemed appropriate by the Department. To be eligible for assistance, a dairy farmer must produce all of the following: (1) milk production records, showing ceased production during any time between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022; (2) proof that the dairy operation was permitted as a Grade A milk producer by the Food and Drug Protection Division of the Department during the time that production was ceased; and (3) any other information deemed appropriate by the Department.

The Department is directed to award a one-time payment of $31,500 to each eligible applicant, plus the following:

• A cost share for closure of swine lagoons or swine operations that will not secure a contract with another swine integrator and will cease swine production, or for closure of dairy waste structures associated with dairy operations that will cease milk production. The cost share is limited to 90% of the lagoon closure cost, not to exceed $100,000 per operation.
• If additional agricultural water supply is needed, an additional cost share to convert the decommissioned lagoon to an agricultural water supply pond. The cost share is limited to 90% of the actual cost, not to exceed $30,000 per operation.
• Financial assistance to swine producers for a fixed dollar amount per head space for producers who can secure a production contract with another swine integrator but must invest in upgrades to existing barns or completely rebuild animal housing. The award is limited to $10 per head space for renovations or $20 per head space for rebuilt housing, but the total award may not exceed 90% of the actual cost of the renovation or construction.

Applications for financial assistance must be submitted by June 30, 2023.

This section became effective July 1, 2021.