Farmers and ranchers in Baxter and Marion Counties may be eligible for assistance if they face damages due to recent high winds in the Twin Lakes Area. Lana Colley, Program Technician for the Baxter/Marion Farm Service Agency, says some local farms and ranches suffered severe damage and could get help under the Emergency Conservation Program.
There are certain conditions to qualify for funding. One being the damage is so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is needed to return the land to productive agricultural use. Other qualifications say the damage should be unusual and not the type to recur frequently in the same area, will impair or endanger the land and affect the productive capacity of the land.
Producers qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost-share levels not to exceed 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures, up to $200,000 per natural disaster occurrence.
Restoration measures which may be available include removing debris from farmland, restoring permanent fences and restoring conservation structures or similar installations.
Farmers and ranchers who have suffered a loss from a natural disaster should take pictures and call Colley at the Farm Service Agency at 870-425-2250 extension two.
The agency also offers assistance with grazing loss due to drought. The deadline to pay for the Non-insured Assistance Program is March 15th. The cost is $250 pre county and crop. Waiver of the fees is available to limited resource farmers, SDA/Underserved or Beginning Farmers. Contact the same number for eligibility.
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