Farmers can apply now for drought assistance. Here's how to find the help

This summer has been extremely dry and hot, with little to no end in sight for the counties of Alleghany, Garrett, Washington and Frederick.

Farmers are extremely worried about the D3 (extreme) drought conditions as indicated on the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM). A drought intensity level of D3 on the USDM means conditions are drier than 98% of past conditions resulting in devastating crop losses, pasture losses and water restrictions.

Fortunately, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers relief for local drought-impacted livestock producers through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP), the Tree Disaster Assistance Program (TAP) and the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock and who also are producers of grazed forage crop acreage of native and improved pastureland.

The grazing losses must occur on land physically located in a county experiencing a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period.

A USDM drought intensity level of D3 at any point during the grazing season triggers producer eligibility for LFP assistance to monthly payments.   ELAP covers losses that are not covered under other disaster assistance programs It covers losses due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition including drought.

ELAP provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses and transportation cost associated with transporting feed/forage to livestock and livestock to feed.

Eligible producers are required to complete a notice of loss and a payment application to their local FSA office no later than Jan. 30, 2025, for 2024 calendar year losses.

Tree Disaster Assistance Program (TAP). Those who have trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes, can be eligible for assistance.

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Ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees also are eligible for TAP. In order to qualify, there must be a lose greater than 15% of normal mortality.

The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) also can provide assistance for drought loss. Eligible crops are those commercially produced for which crop insurance is not available in the county. In most cases a policy must be purchased beforehand. However, socially disadvantaged producers may still be able to qualify for assistance.

FSA employees and Maryland Farm Bureau (MFB) recently toured farms to see the impacts of the extreme drought conditions firsthand.

Farmers affected by the drought in Alleghany, Garrett, Washington and Frederick counties are asked to reach out to their local FSA offices.

More: Maryland Department of the Environment issues drought watch for Western Maryland

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Farmers can apply now for drought assistance. Here's how to find the help