As a service to our grower friends and customers, Smart Apply is sharing this important information from the USDA.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, USDA staff is available to assist when you are ready. USDA is working diligently to implement program flexibilities and waivers, to help streamline your recovery process. We are regularly reviewing our programs so please check in periodically with your local USDA office for updates.
Documenting Loss
We encourage you to document damages and losses your operation has sustained as best you can, including gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses. Livestock producers are advised to document livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures of injury or loss, to the extent possible. Please know that we recognize these are extremely extenuating and stressful circumstances and there may be instances where documentation is lost, destroyed or unattainable. Regardless, please contact us and we will do whatever we can to help you access the assistance you need.
Reporting Loss
Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized Approved Insurance Providers to provide flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due the disaster.
Available Assistance
Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses.
Additionally, FSA offers several loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control.
Meanwhile, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.
Online Resources and Tools
To learn more about programs available to producers here are some resources on farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with livestock disaster assistance decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos.