Local News

Program Signup Opens for Okanogan Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Floods

Dec 30, 2014

Financial assistance is available for farmers and ranchers to repair damage from last summer's wildfires. The Farm Service Agency recently authorized funding for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) according to Stu Skidmore, Farm Service Agency Acting County Executive Director in Okanogan. The agency is currently accepting program applications and affected agriculture producers are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

According to Skidmore, the torrential rains during Carlton Complex fires caused significant damage to pastures, hay fields and orchards that are within the area affected by the Carlton fire. ECP assistswith the costs of debris removal to rehabilitate farmlands and conservation facilities damaged by flooding. It also may help with costs associated with replacing irrigation mainlines and other permanently installed irrigation systems. Farmers and ranchers whose operations were damaged as a result of the flooding may be eligible for the program. Problems existing prior to the fires are ineligible for ECP assistance.

Eligible farmers and ranchers will receive cost-share assistanceof up to 75 percent of the cost for debris removal and replacing irrigation mainlines and other permanently installed irrigation structures, as approved by the Farm Service Agency county committee. Eligibility does not include horse operations unless the horses are used in the commercial production of food or fiber. Ranchersmay apply for the Emergency Conservation Program at the Okanogan USDA Service Center.

For more information on disaster assistance programs, contact your local Farm ServiceAgency office or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wa.