MONTGOMERY, ALA. – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently announced that the state would provide $26 million in funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program.

The funding will be administered through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI).

“Due to COVID-19, numerous farms and processing facilities have struggled to remain open and sell their products,” Ivey said. “Establishing the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program is not only the right thing to do to protect our farmers, but is also key to stabilizing Alabama’s economy.”

In the program, cattle producers in the state are eligible for $10.5 million, and meat processing plants can apply to a $1.5 million reimbursement program. There is also a grant program for poultry farmers of $4 million.

“This program was a collaborative effort between our department and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, Alabama Agribusiness Council, and other agriculture stakeholders,” said Rick Pate, commissioner of ADAI.

Funding for the stabilization program was derived from the state’s allocation of federal relief dollars made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.