The United States Department of Agriculture is reminding agricultural producers (especially those who raise livestock, row crops, and vulnerable crops like citrus) that there are several programs to help with recovery following the upcoming cold snap.
The programs include risk management and disaster assistance as well as additional tools to help determine what program or loan options are available to impacted agriculturalists.
Producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), reporting crop damage to a crop insurance agent or the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office is vital.
If a farmer has crop insurance, they should contact their agency within 72 hours of finding damage and follow up in writing within 15 days. If a farmer has NAP coverage, they should file a notice of loss (also called Form CCC-576) within 15 days of discovering the damage. Damage for hand-harvested crops, however, needs to be reported within 72 hours.
Livestock; fruit; and vegetable, specialty, and perennial crop producers may find USDA disaster assistance programs especially important to them. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died due to qualifying natural disaster events. The programs also cover a portion of the value of grazing acres, feed and forage lost.
To participate in LIP, filing a notice of loss by the annual program payment application date is necessary to participate in the programs. The annual payment application date for the 2023 program year is Feb. 29, 2024; and the date for the 2024 program year is March 3, 2025.
Producers who wish to take advantage of the ELAP have to file a notice of loss to their local FSA office no later than the annual program application deadline of Jan. 30 following the program year in which the loss happened.
Another program offered is the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), which offers cost share assistance to rehabilitate orchards and nurseries that lost trees, vines, or shrubs. The USDA says the TAP program compliments NAP or crop insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases.
A TAP program application has to be filed within 90 days of the disaster event or the date when the loss of the trees, bushes, or vines is noticeable.
The USDA says it is vital to document all losses after a weather event and advises livestock producers to begin documenting livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures before and after the loss. Other documentation options include purchase records, production records, vaccination records, bank or other loan documents, or third-party certification.
Producers have several loan options to get additional help through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA). These options include emergency loans that are prompted by disaster declarations as well as operating loans that can help with credit needs. Producers can use these loans to replace essential property; buy inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed; or refinance farm-related debts and other needs.
FSA also offers several loan servicing options for borrowers who cannot make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons out of their control.
Landowners and forest stewards can get help from the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program. These programs offer financial and technical assistance in restoring fencing, damaged farmland or forests; and removing snow from feed stocks, water supplies, and feeding areas.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to aid in recovery from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Help may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.
The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Assistance Tool are available on farmers.gov to help producers determine program or loan options. More details such as payment calculations can be found on the USDA’s NAP, ELAP, LIP, and TAP fact sheets.
For more information about disaster programs and assistance, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
Source - https://www.knoe.com
