The USDA Farm Service Agency in Indiana is urging farmers impacted by recent severe storms to report any physical loss to their operation, including structural and livestock damage, to their local county office. The damage caused by the storms on March 31st and April 1st was significant, affecting farm fields and operations across the state.
The state executive director, Julia Wickard, has stated that there are programs and resources in place to help farmers recover from the losses caused by the storms. Farmers who have not yet reported damage are encouraged to contact their local office as soon as possible, with a deadline of Friday, April 21st.
Farmers may be eligible for assistance from several programs that are part of the farm bill, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, which requires producers to report any loss of livestock within 30 days and provide evidence or documentation of the loss.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-raised Fish Program is also available, and Wickard notes that damage to structures under loan with the FSA through the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program may be reported. It is essential that farmers take advantage of these programs and resources to recover from the losses caused by the recent severe storms.
Photo Credit: istock-SpVVK
Categories: Indiana, Weather