Lawmakers reached agreement this week to allow agriculture to participate in the Small Business Administrations Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. It’s part of a larger deal, a $484 billion coronavirus package to extend the Paycheck Protection Program. Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says that inclusion is very positive for farmers and ranchers hit hard by the pandemic.

He says an important part of that package for agriculture also includes the provision for ag businesses to apply for low interest loans and possibly qualify for the $10,000 emergency grants.

Hansen says the amount of money provided to agriculture in the first stimulus package is rather small compared to the need.

To be eligible for the funding under the EIDL, ag businesses will have to show that they have been injured by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus.