OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Extreme weather conditions have affected much of Nebraska, troubling farms and ranches across the state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has disaster assistance programs available to help agricultural producers recover. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) offer programs designed to help producers bounce back.
The FSA offers numerous programs to assist in recovery, including Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, Emergency Forest Restoration Program, and the Tree Assistance Program. Producers located in the impacted areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to ensure production can continue.
The NRCS provides technical and financial aid through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other conservation programs that assist in recovery and building resilience to better withstand future disasters. NRCS also plans to direct additional funds to cope with livestock loss due to the flooding. This money helps landowners remove and properly dispose of livestock carcasses.
Producers with coverage through federal crop insurance are advised to contact their agent for issues involving filing claims. Those who did purchase crop insurance will be paid for covered losses, a press release from USDA says.
USDA also offers assistance to local entities rebuilding infrastructure and removing debris. Through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, those impacted can get help to address watershed impairments or hazards like debris removal and stabilization of stream banks.
Farmers can find flood relief resources at the following links:
http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/resources/index.html
