USDA offers assistance for producers impacted by wildfire

Crook County has been lucky so far this summer in avoiding the large wildfires that have devastated much of the northeast of Wyoming.

That’s not to say, however, that the county has been free from flames.

After a season of constant smaller fires, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now offering assistance to farmers and livestock producers who have been impacted by wildfire. Programs aim to assist in recovery from losses and damages to crops, land, infrastructure and livestock.

“Based on your reported losses or damages, our local Farm Service Agency county office staff are ready to help connect you with the programs best suited to meet your wildfire recovery needs” said Bill Bunce, State Executive Director for FSA in Wyoming in a press release.

“Our staff will do our best to work with the loss documentation you have available. We understand that these are trying times, and you’re pulled in many directions, so when you’re able, please get in touch with us to begin the reporting process.

“The sooner we have the information, the sooner we can get county committee action on your requests for assistance. Examples of loss documentation include but are not limited to farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.”

If you have experienced livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or have sold injured livestock at a reduced price, you may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program.

Documentation or evidence of the losses will be necessary and applications must be in before the deadline of 60 calendar days after the end of the year in which the loss occurred. This will be March 3, 2025 for this year’s losses.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program can compensate for feed and grazing losses, transportation of feed to livestock and hauling of livestock to forage or grazing acres.

A notice of loss and payment application must be filed with your local Farm Service Agency office by January 30, 2025.

The Tree Assistance Program can meanwhile help orchardists and nursery tree growers with cost share assistance for replanting or rehabilitation. This complements the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which covers the crop but not always the plants or trees.

An application must be filed within 90 days of the disaster or when the loss of trees, bushes or vines is apparent.

Farm loans are also available to producers unable to secure commercial financing and low interest emergency loans are available in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation. The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program can help build, repair, replace or upgrade facilities to store commodities.

Visit farmers.gov for more information about USDA resources for producers impacted by wildfire.