USDA assistance for derecho victims

There is USDA assistance available for Midwest farmers affected by the recent derecho.

“Our agricultural producers provide Americans and consumers around the world with such abundance, it’s critical that we stand with them when confronting disasters like the derecho that has devastated so many in America’s heartland,” says Bill Northey, USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation.

Livestock Producers

USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program may be helpful to livestock owners and contract growers who experience above-normal livestock deaths due to specific weather events, as well as to disease or animal attacks.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides payments to eligible producers to help compensate for losses due to disease and adverse weather or other conditions that are not covered by certain other disaster programs.

USDA can provide 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.

Crop Farmers

Farmers with non-insurable crops who suffer crop losses or lower yields may be eligible for help under USDA’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program if the losses were due to natural disasters.

Producers with coverage through the Risk Management Agency (RMA)-administered federal crop insurance program should contact their crop insurance agent for issues regarding filing claims. Those who purchased crop insurance will be paid for covered losses. Report crop damage within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days. The approved insurance providers (AIP), loss adjusters, and agents are experienced and well trained in handling these types of events. RMA is working closely with AIPs that sell and service crop insurance policies to ensure enough loss adjusters will be available to process claims in the affected areas as quickly as possible.

Other Help

USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program can help relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by flood, fires, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.

The Tree Assistance Program may be helpful for orchardists and nursery tree growers. This USDA program can help replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.

When major disasters strike, USDA has an emergency loan program that provides eligible farmers low-interest loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. USDA’s emergency loan program is triggered when a natural disaster is designated by the secretary of agriculture or a natural disaster or emergency is declared by the president under the Stafford Act. USDA also offers additional programs tailored to the needs of specific agricultural sectors to help producers weather the financial impacts of major disasters and rebuild their operations.