For farmers and ranchers impacted by winter storm Fern, keep in mind USDA offers several forms of assistance in recovery efforts. In addition to federal crop insurance, Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam notes there is also:
“The non-insured crop Disaster Assistance Program, or nap, provides financial assistance to protect against disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses or prevent crop planting. Producers must have obtained their nap coverage for the year in which the loss occurs.”
Among the many programs within FSA providing disaster assistance, both financially and technically:
“The Livestock Indemnity Program provides benefits to livestock owners and contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by an eligible lost condition.”
There is also the emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees and farm raised fish program.
“ELAP covers losses due to an eligible adverse weather or lost condition, including eligible compensation for feed and grazing losses.”
In addition:
“The emergency forest restoration program provides funding to restore privately owned forest damaged by natural disasters. The tree Assistance Program provides financial cost sharing assistance to qualifying orchards and nursery tree growers to replant or, where applicable, rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines. The Emergency Conservation Program provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters.”
Online tools at farmers.gov are available to help producers find applicable recovery programs, and the administrator reminds us that FSA loan products are also available to assist with disaster recovery.
“Operating in direct emergency farm loans to producers unable to secure financial or commercial financing. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock equipment, Feed and Seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm related debts and other needs.”
One more reminder: crop insurance claims can be made through your local crop insurance agent, while your local USDA Service Center provides details on and assistance with various disaster recovery programs.