WASHINGTON, September 13, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses in the path of Tropical Storm Nicholas that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices stand ready and are eager to help.
If you need emergency help or have additional questions, please call 1-888-925-6863, or visit: https://www.usda.gov/
USDA is closely monitoring conditions, and will act to make sure programs and services are in place for farmers and ranchers and rural residents affected by tropical storm conditions.
Agricultural communities, farms and ranchers should be prepared for inclement weather and severe storms. USDA encourages farmers to learn more about the Farm Family Disaster Preparedness Program. The program offers information on weather and farming safety; a food and water safety kit; how to prepare for power outages; how to safely store and use potable water; what to do when natural disasters threaten; how to communicate and connect; and more.
Farmers and ranchers who face economic hardship as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and families affected by Hurricane Ike, have been served through the Farm Family Disaster Preparedness Program. It’s designed to make disaster preparedness a part of everyday life and provides comprehensive disaster planning.
Farmers can also apply for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help with economic losses sustained in a disaster. ECP provides matching disaster funds, which can be used to purchase or lease conservation easements, easements, conservation agreements, leases and land sales.
USDA Rural Development offers information on USDA disaster loans and grants. Visit www.usda.gov/disaster for complete information on these programs and for resources to help prepare for, prepare for, and recover from disasters. For more information about disaster response and recovery, contact your USDA rural development State Director.
In California, the State Office of Emergency Services administers emergency water and power assistance, provides direct financial assistance to individuals, households, businesses and organizations, and provides grants for debris removal and cleanup.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers information on Farm Bill programs including programs to provide disaster assistance and programs to provide disaster assistance to rural communities and to improve land resources.
USDA’s National FFA Organization (FFA) helps FFA members and their students prepare for disasters. FFA works with local emergency management and has provided free educational materials, including safety and disaster preparedness information, for schools and communities.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers business owners and individuals resources to help them recover from disasters. They can offer loan guarantees, emergency loans and resources to help in recovery. SBA helps companies of all sizes with disaster-related needs by providing small-business loans that can help owners and their employees recover and rebuild.
Farmers can seek information from their local Farm Service Agency and National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS offers a Rural Reconstruction Emergency Grant Program and provides technical and financial assistance to farmers to prepare for, protect against and recover from disasters. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers information on emergency water and soil conservation loans.
Farmers can contact USDA’s National Commodity Recovery Program (NCRP) to learn about commodities aid programs including federal and state price support programs, and programs to reduce losses to livestock and poultry producers due to crop, livestock, and poultry diseases, insects and pests.
State and local government authorities, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), play a significant role in dealing with disasters. State and local governments rely on a combination of public and private funding sources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
DHS, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers many of the United States’ federal recovery programs in response to major disasters.
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