Tornado damage assistance available

Tornadoes caused severe damage in southeast areas of Carter County in June, 2018. Farms and ranches suffering severe damage may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) if the damage:

• Will be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be needed to return the land to productive agricultural use

• Is unusual and is not the type that would recur frequently in the same area

• Affects the productive capacity of the farmland

• Will impair or endanger the land

A producer qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost-share levels not to exceed 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures. No producer is eligible for more than $200,000 cost sharing per natural disaster occurrence. The following types of measures may be eligible:

• Removing debris from farmland

• Restoring permanent fences

Producers who suffered a loss from the natural disaster may contact the Carter County FSA Office and request assistance until October 7, 2018.

To be eligible for assistance, practices must not be started until all of the following are met:

• An application for cost-share assistance has been filed

• The county office staff has conducted an onsite inspection of the damaged area

Please contact the Carter County FSA Office at 406-775-6355 for further information.