Source:  NCDA&CS, 10/26/10

Poultry producers who lost contracts because their poultry dealer filed for bankruptcy can apply for federal assistance under a program administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Poultry Loss Contract Grant Assistance Program, or PGAP, will provide up to $60 million to poultry growers in nine states. The money is being made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency. Growers that have been identified as potentially eligible will receive an application packet this week.

To be eligible, a poultry farmer must have had a poultry growing arrangement with a live poultry dealer that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2008. The grower must have had his contract with a bankrupt live poultry dealer terminated between May 1, 2008, and July 1, 2010. Also, the grower must not have entered into a poultry growing arrangement with any live poultry dealer for one month after the contract was terminated. Complete eligibility requirements and applications are available online at www.ncagr.gov/gain/pgap.htm. The application period is open from Nov. 1 to Dec. 3. Growers with questions should contact Kim Decker in the NCDA&CS Marketing Division at (919) 707-3116.

The NCDA&CS is conducting three free workshops for poultry growers interested in the assistance program. Dates, times and locations are as follows:
• Monday, Nov. 1, 1-3 p.m., Richmond County Cooperative Extension office, 123 Caroline St., Rockingham, (910) 997-8255;
• Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:30-9 p.m., Chatham County Cooperative Extension office, 45 South St., Pittsboro, (919) 542-8202;
• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6:30-9 p.m., Harnett County Cooperative Extension office, 126 Alexander Drive, Lillington, (910) 893-7530.
To pre-register for the workshops, visit www.ncagr.gov/gain/pgap.htm.