Farmers and ranchers impacted by Wildfire encouraged to Contact local USDA FSA
ARAPAHOE - Over 100 people attended a disaster assistance workshop on April 19, 2022 at the Ella Missing Community Center in Arapahoe. The event that was hosted by the USDA Service Centers in Dawson/Gosper and Furnas Counties was intended for farmers, ranchers and rural landowners that have been impacted by the recent wildfire in Gosper and Furnas Counties.
In addition to USDA staff presenting information on the various disaster assistance programs and resources that are available, representatives from the Lower Republican NRD and Tri Basin NRD, and UNL’s Extension in Furnas County were on hand to answer questions and provide resource information.
One of the big takeaways from the hour and half workshop was for those impacted by the recent wildfire to contact their local USDA Service Centers ASAP to see what programs are available. It was pointed out that there are no one-sizefits-all programs available, but there are personnel that can help farmers and ranchers determine what resources are available for their specific needs.
Some of the topics included reviewing programs that may be available to assist producers with livestock and crop-related expenses and losses, assistance programs to help with restoration and rehabilitation of farm and ranch land, and a discussion of technical assistance to help with recovery efforts.
The five available USDA programs are: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
EC-3 (Replacing & Restoring Permanent Fences) In order to receive cost-share assistance in replacing/ restoring permanent fences that conform to NRCS standards, participants were urged to schedule an appointment with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). If restoration begins before receiving a FSA approval letter in writing, they are at risk of being ineligible for cost-sharing.
EC-1 (Removing Debris from Farmland) Environmental Evaluation is required. Farmers are to keep track of equipment used, man hours, disposal costs, etc.
CRP (Re-Establishment Cost/Share) If practice failed because of natural disaster and the costs of restoring the cover outweigh the benefits from the restoration, the CRP-1 is terminated, and no refunds of CRP-1 payments are required. On-site evaluations will occur on an as needed or requested basis
LIP: Eligibility is for livestock injured as a result of the wildfire and then sold at a reduced price within 30 days of the April 8 fire (May 8, 2022).
ELAP: Losses caused by the wildfire—grazing, purchased or produced feed loss, additional cost of purchasing feed above normal quantities, cost for transporting feed directly to livestock. The county office must be notified of the loss within 30 days.
The USDA Risk Management Agency also provides guidelines for cover crops and crop insurance guidelines. Under the Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP) producers now have through May 31, 2022, to report cover crop acres.
Throughout the workshop, various government representatives expressed empathy for the situation that area farmers and ranchers are in and indicated that soil conservation and helping area farmers and ranchers must be a priority.
One of the issues covere by the two area NRDs is that flowmeters will be eligible for the cost-share program. Earlier this month, the Tri-Basin NRD board of directors voted unanimously to approve relief measures. Landowners in Union Township, where producers are allotted water, will be allowed to pump water for fire suppression, dust contro or to establish cover crops o fire-damaged fields until Jun 1. If they need to use water for these purposes beyond that date, producers must contact the Tri-Basin NRD.
According to their website, “In addition, flowmeters in Union Township that were damage by fire will be replaced by Tri-Basin NRD. Gosper County producers outside of Union Township who lost flowmeters will be eligible f cost-share on replacements. The NRD is also working to secure funding to replace windbreaks that were lost in the fire.”
John Thorburn, General Manager, says that ““Tri-Basin NRD will continue to do what we can to support our disaster-affected constituents.”
Resources:
Furnas County USDA Service Center at (308) 268-3055
Dawson County USDA Service Center at (308) 324-6314
Natural Resources Conservation Service: Elwood Field Office 308.785.3307
Beaver City Field Office 308.268.2215
UNL Nebraska Furnas County Extension: Todd Whitney (Cropping
Todd Whitney (Cropping & Water Systems) 308.995.4222
Erin Laborie (Beef Systems) 308.268.3105
Jerry Volesky (Range & Forage) 308.696.6710
