The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded nearly $20 million in emergency relief funds to Ohio farmers and ranchers.
According to a press release, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that more than $4 billion in emergency relief payments have been made to U.S. farmers who suffered losses to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021 through the USDA's Emergency Relief Program (ERP). The payments already issued represent approximately 67% of the more than $6 billion projected to be paid through the first phase of the ERP. Ohio agricultural producers have received $19.6 million in relief funding to date.
“Over the course of the past two years, natural disaster events in Ohio have resulted in catastrophic production and property losses for our agricultural producers,” John Patterson, State Executive Director for FSA in Ohio, said, according to the press release. “Although these payments will not make these producers whole, they will help alleviate some of the financial stressors brought on by these severe and devastating weather events.”
The ERP and the previously announced Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) are funded by the 2021 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. The law provided $10 billion for agricultural producers impacted by eligible disasters during calendar years 2020 and 2021.
Pre-filled applications were mailed in late May to producers with crop insurance who suffered losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. The USDA's Farm Service Agency will be sending approximately 9,000 additional applications to eligible applicants in mid-July. Commodity and specialty crop producers will have until July 22 to complete applications.
Agricultural producers can contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at their local USDA Service Center for information and to confirm eligibility for the program.
