N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced April 1 that the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program is open and accepting online applications through May 4.

The program is providing funds to farmers with crop losses from Tropical Storm Helene, Tropical Storm Debby or from drought and other weather-related issues in 2024.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture is administering the program with over $524 million approved by the N.C. General Assembly, including nearly $311 million designated for relief for farmers.

The $311 million includes $200 million earmarked for farmers in western N.C. and over $100 million approved for crop losses across the remainder of the state, with all 100 counties included.

“Our farmers are reeling from a disastrous 2024 season, so we are moving quickly to get this program up and running to get money flowing to them. This funding is a lifeline as they look to restore their farms and livelihood,” said Troxler.

An NCDA spokesman said criteria for receiving funds include:

• having a verifiable loss of agriculture or aquaculture commodities as a result of an agricultural disaster in 2024;

• having a farm in an area affected by a weather disaster;

• having a commodity or aquaculture planted or being raised before the date the disaster was designated in the secretarial or presidential declaration for the county with the commodity and losses claimed.

Online applications are at www.ncagr.gov. Farmers must have a Form 578 on file with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and a completed W-9 to apply, stated the spokesman.

County extension offices can provide application assistance for producers without internet access, the spokesman said.

The list of a wide range of commodities included in the program, including specialty crops and tobacco, can be seen online.

“We know some farmers may not know the extent of damage to their crops yet,” Troxler said. “Growers of nursery crops, fruit-bearing trees and bushes and certain horticultural crops may request a deadline extension to June 18. This extension must be requested in the online application due May 4.”

The spokesman said the N.C. General Assembly indicated its intent to revisit agricultural needs again after review of Congressional disaster funding.

“Farmers need to go online and apply. It should only take about 30 minutes per farm to enter information in the online form,” Troxler said.

He asked that people share information on the program with others who may not have internet access or otherwise haven’t heard about it.

Source - https://www.journalpatriot.com