Ag News

USDA expands sign-up for aid for ag and forest hurricane damage

by USDA

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On March 19, the USDA announced another sign-up the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Georgia’s farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who suffered damage to working lands due to Hurricane Michael but were not eligible for previous sign ups. To be considered for this funding cycle, producers must apply in person at their local USDA Service Center by April 19.

The ECP helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters. In this case, ECP will help producers remove their damaged or destroyed center pivot irrigation systems. EQIP will help producers retrofit their center pivot irrigation systems to be more efficient and replace damaged micro-irrigation systems in orchards. EQIP will also help non-industrial forestland owners with debris removal, site preparation, tree planting and prescribed burning.

Agricultural producers and non-industrial forestland owners in thse counties: Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brooks, Burke, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Emanuel, Grady, Houston, Irwin, Jenkins, Laurens, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Taylor, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Turner, Twiggs, Washington, Webster, Wilcox, and Worth are eligible to apply, however this does not apply to local governments or other entities.

For more information or to sign up, call or visit the nearest USDA Service Center.

For more information on the different types of disaster assistance available from USDA, visit www.farmers.gov/recover.

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