USDA Offers Flood Recovery Help In 15 Indiana Counties

By Andi Anderson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) assistance for 15 counties in Indiana following flood damage that occurred between April 7 and 24, 2025.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for ECP through July 18, 2025, to help producers recover and restore their farmland to pre-disaster conditions.

Steve Brown, FSA’s State Executive Director in Indiana, emphasized the urgency of reaching out early. “If you have an immediate need to clean up and restore your operation, please call your local office for restoration practice approval before you take any action,” he said.

The eligible counties include: Bartholomew, Daviess, Gibson, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Owen, Perry, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick.

The ECP offers technical and financial assistance for approved practices such as debris removal, grading and shaping, fence repair, restoring conservation structures, and other emergency measures.

Approved applicants can receive up to 75% of the cost of eligible restoration activities, with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per disaster event.

ECP now also allows for advance payments of up to 25% of the total approved cost before work begins—this option, previously limited to fencing, is now expanded to all ECP practices.

To speed recovery efforts, FSA has waived the requirement for prior approval and on-site inspections for non-engineering activities like hazard tree removal, surface debris cleanup, and fence repairs.

Farmers and ranchers leasing federally managed, tribal, or state-owned land are also eligible to apply for ECP assistance. However, conservation issues present before the flooding event are not covered under this program.

For questions on eligibility, allowable practices, or to begin the application process, producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office as soon as possible.

Photo Credit: usda