By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is mobilizing resources to assist recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers, and residents impacted by Hurricane Debby.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a range of program flexibilities and support to help those affected as the hurricane continues its path along the East Coast.
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is providing critical food safety guidance for residents returning to their homes after the storm. This includes maintaining food safety during power outages and proper handling of flood-affected food and water supplies.
Additionally, USDA offers extensive risk management and disaster assistance for agricultural operations. Programs like the Federal Crop Insurance Program and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provide crucial support for crop losses.
Livestock and perennial crop producers have access to the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program, which compensate for disaster-related animal losses.
The USDA also assists with land and forest recovery through the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, providing financial and technical assistance to restore damaged properties.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to support immediate and long-term recovery needs. In addition, the Emergency Watershed Protection Program helps with debris removal and streambank stabilization.
For personalized guidance, the USDA encourages producers and landowners to use online tools like the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and Farm Loan Discovery Tool available on farmers.gov.
Local USDA Service Centers provide detailed information and support for crop insurance claims and program applications.
USDA's commitment extends to rural communities, with USDA Rural Development offering programs to aid in rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive support for all affected by Hurricane Debby.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National