Farmers have to deal with many unknowns when they put in the crop each year. That is why they purchase crop insurance and take advantage of programs from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help them in times of need. The Federal Government has offered a whole host of disaster relief funds over the years, to help make farmers whole when they experience a catastrophic loss. The loss of family farms in a disaster would be a blow to our food production and the work farmers do to help feed and clothe the world.
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding producers that they only have until December 16th to get their paperwork in to be a part of the first round of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux talks about this final piece of Phase 1.
If you don?t make it in on time, there will be a second round coming in the next few weeks. Ducheneaux says they are still dotting the I?s and crossing the T?s. He is hopeful they will have it ready sooner rather than later.
If you are thinking that Phase 2 will just be a carbon copy of Phase 1, you may be in for a shock. Ducheneaux says there will be a different approach to qualifying for Phase 2.
This next phase will be addressed by revenue to fill gaps in previous disaster programs.
For more information on the programs or to see if you qualify, reach out to your local FSA office.
