Hurricane Response and Recovery

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Hurricane Matthew has left a trail of devastation throughout Sampson County and many farmers, ranchers, and producers have felt the effects. There are several programs offered by the US Farm Service Agency that may help in times of need. The most important thing that you can do if you have been affected is to document everything. Take pictures, record notes, document time worked on equipment, and man hours – If any activity is not documented, it didn’t happen, so ensure that you are documenting everything.

Livestock Indemnity Program
This program is a standing program embedded in the Farm Bill. If you have livestock mortality over normal averages that was caused by natural events then you are eligible. You should document damages by taking pictures, notes, testimonies of workers, service personnel, and others that witnessed the loss. Keep up with receipts, time, labor, and machine hours spent on clean up efforts.
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
If you own a fruit tree orchard, or pecan orchard, TAP can help you recover costs for loss of fruit or nut crop trees. Again, you should document damages by taking pictures, notes, testimonies of workers, and others that witnessed the loss. Keep up with receipts, time, labor and machine hours spent on clean up efforts.
Emergency Reforestation Program – For timber growers

The emergency reforestation program is for growers of pine stands (loblolly and longleaf) or hardwood timber that has experienced loss. Again, you should document damages by taking pictures, notes, testimonies of workers, and others that witnessed the loss. Keep up with receipts, time, labor and machine hours spent on clean up efforts.

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

ECP funding has been requested through the Farm Service Agency. It has not been approved as of today. If approved, ECP will offer 4 tiers of assistance for agriculture related damages.

  • EC 1 offers assistance for trees down in fields
  • EC 2 offers assistance for erosion in fields
  • EC 3 offers assistance for fencing issues
  • EC 4 offers assistance for structural pond dam repairs
Again, this has not yet been approved, but submitted for approval. You should document damages by taking pictures, notes, testimonies of workers, and others that witnessed the loss. Keep up with receipts, time, labor and machine hours spent on clean up efforts.
Emergency Loss Assistance Program (ELAP)
ELAP is a program for beekeepers who have experienced losses for the entire year. This is a permanent program offered by the FSA. The deadline for application is November 1, 2016. If you experienced bee losses by hurricane Matthew, call the FSA by November 1 to report your loss and begin the required paperwork.
Contacting the US Farm Service Agency (FSA)

To contact the Sampson County FSA office you can call at (910) 592-4791. The office is located at 80 County Complex Rd, Clinton, NC 28328.

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