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USDA Provides $77
Million
to Repair Farmland Damaged by Drought and Flood |
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2008 -
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today said
that farmers and ranchers will receive $77 million in Emergency
Conservation Program funds to repair farmland damaged by natural
disasters in 2008.
Producers will be able to use
the money to remove farmland debris, restore fences and repair
conservation structures which were damaged by floods, tornadoes,
hurricanes, storms, wildfires, and to carry out emergency water
conservation measures after severe drought.
"These funds will allow farmers
and ranchers to repair the severe damage to conservation systems
caused by disaster conditions from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, as
well as the 2008 Midwest Floods," said Schafer. "USDA has always
worked shoulder to shoulder with producers during a disaster,
and we remain committed to help through the weeks and months of
recovery."
For land to be eligible, the
natural disaster must create new conservation problems that:
if untreated, will impair or
endanger the land;
materially affect the land's productive capacity;
represent unusual damage that, except for wind erosion, is not
likely to recur frequently in the same area; and
would be so costly to repair that federal assistance is or will
be required to return the land to productive agricultural use.
All of the above conditions must be met for eligibility.
Conservation problems that existed before the disaster are not
eligible for cost-share assistance. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA)
county committees determine land eligibility based on on-site
inspections of damage, taking into account the type and extent
of damage.
The states and estimated dollar
amounts for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) are:
State Total
Arkansas $1,040,000
California $168,000
Georgia $3,339,000
Hawaii $97,000
Illinois $447,000
Indiana $13,013,000
Iowa $17,560,000
Kansas $1,184,000
Kentucky $67,000
Louisiana $16,000,000
Maine $10,000
Michigan $59,000
Mississippi $337,000
Missouri $3,420,000
Montana $927,000
Nebraska $892,000
New Hampshire $195,000
New Mexico $1,200,000
New York $10,000
North Carolina $40,000
Ohio $375,000
South Carolina $95,000
Tennessee $2,758,000
Texas $13,729,000
Utah $45,000
Virginia $20,000
Grand Total $77,027,000
A detailed list of counties and associated specific disasters is
on FSA's Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ecpcounties2.pdf.
A national map with a visual depiction of the affected counties
and disaster types is on the FSA Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ecpmap2.pdf.
The remainder of ECP funds will be
allocated as additional requests are processed. For further
information on eligibility requirements as well as applications,
producers may visit their local FSA office or online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
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2007 and 2008 droughts
have raised needs
for alternative
feeds |
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 The
2007 and 2008 growing seasons have been tremendously difficult
for numerous farmers in parts of South Carolina. (Click
here
to see regions affected.) Many livestock
producers are finding it difficult to maintain feed supplies.
Hay continues to be in short supply in some portions of the
state.
In response to this hardship, we have published a listing
of where hay
or forage may be available. Click
here
for additional information.
COOL Regulations
Creating Confusion Among Some Retailers |
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Farm Bureau has
received inquiries about how COOL (country of origin labeling)
impacts locally grown products. Unfortunately some farmers have
been told by retailers that they can no longer buy their
products.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is the regulatory
agency for COOL in South Carolina and can best address this
issue.
To learn more about the regulations, click
here.
 South
Carolina Farm Bureau has a long history of working for the
state's farm and rural folks. Thanks to the efforts of its many
volunteers and members, the farmers' voice continues to be heard
in the state legislature and in Congress. Beneficial
legislation, such as Act 208, has meant much to farmers
throughout South Carolina. Please
join us and help build a
stronger, more active
Farm Bureau team!
Have you looked at our
Grainger
benefit recently? |
| |
Farmers - have you
looked at the excellent discounts available to members from
Grainger.
Also, note the FREE shipping. You could save hundreds, perhaps
more with this Member Benefit. It pays to belong to Farm Bureau.
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