FSA has assistance programs for Tennessee growers

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Gene Davidson reminds crop and livestock producers throughout Tennessee who have recently experienced severe damage from tornadoes and flooding that there are FSA programs available to assist with recovery.

"The damage done by the recent severe weather has made things very difficult for many of our farmers and ranchers. The disaster assistance programs FSA has available may be an important first step for producers in the recovery process,” said Davidson.

FSA administers several important programs that help producers recover from disaster damage and livestock deaths. Among the key programs available to address impacts from disasters are:

• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Provides funding for farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by a natural disaster (check with local FSA Office for sign-up periods, which are set by county FSA committees) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=ecp

• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): Provides assistance to livestock producers for livestock deaths from a natural disaster event (must file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of the loss event or of when the loss of livestock was apparent to the participant) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=lip