Mississippi farmers and livestock producers can access technical and financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help recover from damages incurred by recent winter storms.

Producers are encouraged to contact local USDA Service Centers to learn about the available programs to help with recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses. The Brookhaven Service Center is located at 1395 Johnny Johnson Drive and can be reached at 601-833-9321. Other centers can be located by visiting https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

 

Disaster assistance

Farmers and ranchers should contact their county FSA office to apply for eligible programs and learn which documents should be provided to expedite assistance.

Producers who have incurred livestock deaths due to winter storms may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. Producers will need to file a notice of loss within 30 days, or within 15 days for honeybee losses.

Eligible orchard and nursery tree growers may also be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program to rehabilitate or replant eligible trees, bushes or vines lost in the storms. TAP applications must be filed within 90 days.

A variety of direct and guaranteed loans are also available to eligible applicants.