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Natural resources

USDA Offers Assistance to Colorado Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Wildfires

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it will provide technical and financial assistance to Colorado farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by recent wildfires. The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has declared that affected producers are eligible for disaster assistance programs, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). Producers with losses related to wildfire can report their losses and apply for assistance through their local FSA office.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USDA's Farm Service Agency has declared that agricultural operations in Colorado have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires.
  • The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides compensation for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or reduced sales due to eligible adverse weather events.
  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides compensation for feed and grazing losses.
  • Producers can also apply for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines.
  • The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has also expanded eligibility for the Emergency Loans Program, which provides low-interest emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses.
  • Producers who incurred damage to or loss of their equipment or infrastructure funded by the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) should contact their insurance agent and local USDA Service Center.
  • Producers with crop damage should report their losses to their local FSA office and file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 15 days.
  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres may be authorized for emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar disaster.
  • The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provide financial and technical assistance for debris removal and restoration of farmland, including removal of debris, repairing forestland roads, and replacing fences.
  • USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is available to provide financial and technical assistance during the recovery process by assisting producers to plan and implement conservation practices on farms, ranches, and working forests impacted by natural disasters.
  • The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters, including replacing livestock watering facilities, fencing, mulching, and reseeding range and pastureland.

Statistics:

  • Over $500 million in disaster assistance funds have been allocated to support agricultural operations affected by wildfires.
  • The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) has provided over $100 million in compensation to producers for livestock losses in excess of normal mortality or reduced sales due to eligible adverse weather events.
  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) has provided over $50 million in compensation for feed and grazing losses.
  • Over 1,000 producers have reported losses related to wildfire and applied for assistance through the Farm Service Agency.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, press release, December 2022
  • USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, press release, October 2022
  • USDA, Risk Management Agency, press release, September 2022
  • USDA, Farm Service Agency, brochure on Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Operations
  • USDA, Farm Service Agency, brochure on Tree Assistance Program.

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