The USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation says they expect significant demand for resources following damage from Hurricane Helene.

In a Monday briefing, Robert Bonnie told reporters…

“We’re looking for ways that we can streamline, that we can enhance our flexibility to get folks in, that we can look for ways to reduce barriers, whether it’s calculating losses or other things to make it easier for folks to take advantage of our programs.”

USDA’s Risk Management Agency Administrator Marsha Bunger says there will be additional time to report crop losses.

“We recognize the need for flexibility, and we’re extending that normal 72 hour period that producers should try and reach out as soon as possible to get the claim process going.”

She says the emergency procedures are in place to make the claims adjustment process for multiple crops easier.

“It waives appraisals in situations where the crop will not be harvested due to extensive hurricane damage,” she says. “It simplifies loss adjustments when the crop has been adulterated or has zero market value due to flood waters.”

Senior Advisor for USDA’s Farm Service Agency Scott Marlow says as farmers are documenting losses, they need to focus on three things.

“What was the situation before the storm hit? What is the situation now? And the third is, what are the actions taken to clean up from the storm, the costs incurred, all the things that you’re doing in the cleanup,” he says.

Farmers needing information on any USDA assistance programs are encouraged to visit farmers.gov.

Source - https://www.brownfieldagnews.com