USDA to aid farmers impacted by Wisconsin weather disasters

MADISON, Wis. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday it has technical and financial assistance to help farmers and livestock producers in Wisconsin recover from recent tornadoes and flooding.

The USDA said producers who experience livestock deaths or must sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for the "Livestock Indemnity Program." For feed and grazing losses, the "Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program" may provide compensation to eligible farmers. Those wishing to apply must submit a notice of loss.

For orchardists and nursery tree growers, the USDA said it offers cost-share assistance through the "Tree Assistance Program" to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, or vines. The "Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program" covers crops that have been damaged by a disaster event.

The USDA said the Farm Service Agency offers several direct and guaranteed farm loans to producers unable to secure commercial financing, along with loan services available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt.

The USDA said producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or FSA's "NAP" should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or to the FSA office.

The FSA said their "Emergency Conservation Program" and "Emergency Forest Recreation Program" can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, restore damaged farmland or forest, and remove debris.

Additionally, the USDA said the National Resources Conservation Service's "Emergency Watershed Program" will assist local government sponsors with the cost of debris removal, streambank stabilization, and other watershed impairments.

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