Farm Service Agency accepting emergency program applications

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Lisa Bower today announced that Hot Springs County is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from flooding. ECP Signup will begin on August 4th, 2023 and end on September 8th, 2023.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization include fence repair, fence replacement, debris removal and minor irrigation structure repairs for structures not located on a streambed or a streambank. Road repair is not authorized for this program.

ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the agricultural land to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share.

“Dealing with natural disasters is never easy, especially when you have to consider the health and safety of livestock, but it’s important for producers to call our office before they take any action,” said Bower.

Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. FSA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process is required to be completed before any actions are taken. Submitting an application after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP.

FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

For more information on ECP, contact the Washakie-Hot Springs County FSA office at 307-347-2456 ext. 2 or visit farmers.gov/recover.