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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
As the COVID-19 pandemic spurred layoffs across the nation in March, the federal government created the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loan as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or CARES Act to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program allowed the SBA to guarantee and forgive the full principal loan amount if businesses used the funds to cover payroll and other select expenses.
However, on Aug. 27, the SBA issued an interim final rule outlining the appeals process for PPP loan review decisions.
In the comment letter, the coalition argues the rule would make it harder for small businesses to access needed relief by setting up an appeals process that lacks transparency, is detrimental to borrowers' rights, and violates due process.
“Small businesses have taken a crushing hit in this COVID-19 pandemic, and the last thing they need is bureaucratic red tape and cryptic decisions about why they were denied a loan or loan forgiveness,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Many businesses are simply trying to stay afloat right now, and these loans from the Paycheck Protection Program are critical. This proposed rule is confusing and puts borrowers at a disadvantage – we need to do better to protect small businesses during this unprecedented pandemic.”
For many businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic, a PPP loan is the only way to stay in business. However, not all small businesses have the resources to defend their PPP loan in response to an SBA investigation, and as a result, rely heavily on appealing adverse loan decisions.
The new rules apply to the appeals process in instances when the SBA determines that a borrower was ineligible for the PPP loan, was ineligible for the PPP loan amount received, or is ineligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
The attorneys general argue that the appeals procedure established by the proposed rule is confusing and puts borrowers at a disadvantage.
Attorney General Becerra and the coalition urge the SBA to establish an appeals process for PPP loan decisions in which each level of review is independent and neutral. This would ensure that the same individual who made an initial decision regarding the loan could not review an appeal of their own decision.
In its comment letter, the coalition also argues that the proposed rule:
– Fails to articulate procedures for initial loan decisions: The SBA has failed to articulate how it evaluates PPP loans in its investigations. This means that while filing an appeal, the borrower does not know what facts or law the SBA considered in its loan review decision. Additionally, the lack of procedures leaves borrowers’ confidential information unprotected from disclosure.
– Creates a circular review process with no outside oversight: Without independent and neutral decision-makers, the proposed rule denies borrowers due process and violates the Administrative Procedures Act.
– Lacks fair procedures: The proposed rule requires borrowers to file a petition of appeal before release of the administrative record, upon which their appeal depends.
– Is unfair: The proposed rule forces borrowers to continue to make payments on a loan while they await an outcome of their appeal on the denial of forgiveness of that loan.
Attorney General Becerra joined the attorneys general of Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia in sending the comment letter.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
In a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence, who chairs the task force, the farm groups stressed that the nation’s food security “depends on a safe working environment for frontline agricultural employees.”
The organizations said farmers have done their best to assure safety by instituting best practices including social distancing, enhanced hygiene and sanitation procedures, employee training and use of personal protective equipment.
But given a “broad strain” on availability of such personal protective equipment, testing and other resources, the groups said, the White House Task Force could help by:
– Permitting use of alternate housing, such as FEMA trailers or RVs, to allow greater social distancing for employees who may need to quarantine or isolate due to exposure to COVID-19.
– Ensuring COVID-19 testing resources are available to agricultural employers and employees, and that test results are made available promptly.
– Increasing availability of Commodity Credit Corporation funds to help farmers offset the cost of pandemic-related expenses such as housing, transportation, workplace retrofitting, testing, training and others.
– Prioritizing distribution of personal protective equipment and any future vaccine to the food and fiber supply chain, due to the essential role of agriculture in assuring health for people in the U.S.
– Coordinating efforts among government agencies and community organizations to reduce the risk of exposure outside of occupational settings in rural communities.
The letter was organized by the Agricultural Workforce Coalition and signed by 167 organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation; California Farm Bureau Federation and 20 other state Farm Bureaus; 14 county Farm Bureaus from California; and 18 additional California-based commodity groups and cooperatives.
“The availability of personal protective equipment for farm employees has been a top priority for Farm Bureau throughout the pandemic—even more so due to wildfires that have reduced air quality throughout the West,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “We hope Vice President Pence, Agriculture Secretary Perdue and other members of the White House task force will give this request their immediate attention.”
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 34,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.
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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
This year’s conference will be an online webinar. The conference brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn about and share the latest research and innovative practices in fertilizer and irrigation management.
The conference agenda includes information on soil and crop nutrient management, irrigation and salinity management, efficient practices in almonds, sampling techniques and analyses, and managed aquifer recharge.
Additionally, there will be a virtual farm tour, which will focus on irrigation and nitrogen management in industrial hemp.
Early registration for the conference is $125; currently enrolled students pay $90 (no registration deadline); and late registration after October 14 is $190.
Continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisers and Growers are being applied for both days (Oct. 28 and 29).
To view the agenda and register online, visit the conference website.
For more information, please contact program staff at
Over the past 28 years, FREP has funded more than 250 research projects focusing on nutrient and irrigation management in California cropping systems.
For more information, visit the database of completed and ongoing research projects.
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- Written by: California State Board of Food and Agriculture
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via GoToWebinar.
The meeting link is here; webinar ID is 754-254-139.
“Our farms and ranches thrive on employing a skilled and trained workforce,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Farming requires a unique skill set that is constantly advancing to embrace new technologies while also maintaining expertise in irrigation, farm mechanics and food safety. When we look at agricultural workforce development and training – we are hopeful to provide not only a career pathway for current farmworkers, but certifications and apprenticeships for those entering and leading the industry into the future.”
Invited speakers include Ed Rood, California Department of Industrial Relations; Nancy Gutierrez, Reedley College; Holly Correa, Ventura College; Zachary Zweigle, Shasta College; Glenda Humiston, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Elliott Balch, Central Valley Community Foundation; and Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission.
“As a farmer in the Central Valley, I see the need for workforce training firsthand,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Agriculture is the livelihood for many rural communities and the jobs we have available are good, higher-paying jobs. The technology and equipment we are using require a new emphasis on agricultural training. We need improved agricultural workforce development and training so that those of us living in rural communities can directly benefit from the agricultural technology jobs that are here.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.
The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
Follow the board on Twitter.