Local News

USDA’s Farm Service Agency Announces Sign-Up Date for Disaster Assistance Programs

Apr 23, 2014

Farmers and ranchers can sign-up for disaster assistance programs, re-established and strengthened by the 2014 Farm Bill, began Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

“We’ve been very lucky in Washington State to not have experienced some disasters currently affecting other states,” Breiler said. “However, with this change in the Farm Bill, these programs are now permanent and will be there for our farmers and ranchers when they do need help.”

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will provide payments to eligible producers for livestock deaths and grazing losses that occurred retroactive to Oct. 1, 2011.

Enrollment also began on April 15 for producers with losses covered by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), retroactive to Oct. 1, 2011.

“President Obama and Secretary Vilsack made it a priority to begin enrollment for these programs,” FSA Administrator Juan Garcia said. “For farmers and ranchers who have been awaiting disaster assistance, help is on the way.”

ELAP provides financial assistance for the loss of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions such as wildfires. LIP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on federally managed lands.

TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.

“To expedite applications, all producers who experienced losses are encouraged to bring records documenting those losses to their local FSA county office,” Gray Breiler, County Executive Director said.

Producers are encouraged to contact this office ahead of time to schedule an appointment.

For more information, producers are encouraged to review the 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet, check out the LIP, LFP, ELAP and TAP fact sheets online or visit any USDA Service Center.