By Scout Nelson
Recent heavy rain and flooding have left a significant impact on agricultural operations in Minnesota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering both technical and financial assistance to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.
USDA Disaster Assistance Programs:
Farmers who have suffered from livestock deaths beyond normal rates or sold injured livestock at reduced prices may find relief through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
"Producers will have to provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse weather event," and should file a notice of loss to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) by March 3, 2025, for losses incurred in 2024.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) offers compensation for feed and grazing losses, requiring a notice of loss and payment application by January 30, 2025.
The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offers insurance coverage for eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate damaged plants, with applications due within 90 days of a disaster event.
Whitney Place, State Executive Director for FSA in Minnesota, advises evaluating the impact on operations and promptly reporting all crop, livestock, and farm infrastructure damages and losses to the local FSA county office for expedited aid.
The FSA provides direct and guaranteed farm loans to producers for property replacement, input purchase, and living expenses, while the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing for storage facility construction or repair post-disasters.
Risk Management and Conservation Efforts:
Producers should promptly report crop damage to their insurance agents or the FSA to utilize Federal Crop Insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
“Crop insurance and other USDA risk management options are offered to help producers manage risk because we never know what nature has in store for the future,” stated Amber Rhode, Acting Director of USDA’s Risk Management Agency Regional Office in Minnesota.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports land recovery with the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), helping to restore damaged land and infrastructure.
For community-wide support, the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program helps local governments address hazards like debris-clogged waterways and unstable streambanks, with NRCS covering up to 75% of the construction costs of emergency measures.
Farmers and community leaders in Minnesota can find more information and support by contacting there local NRCS office, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to recover and protect their lands and livelihoods effectively.
Photo Credit -usda
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy