NEW SIGNUP PERIOD ANNOUNCED FOR DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

 

            A signup period through January 16th, 2007 has been announced.  A lack of moisture, over an extended period of time, has caused producers in our area to suffer from the effects of severe drought conditions.  Farms and Ranches experiencing severe drought conditions may be eligible for cost-share assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).  This disaster program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (FSA), which provides cost-share assistance if the damage is so severe that water available for livestock or orchards and vineyards has been reduced below normal to the extent that neither can survive without additional water.

 

            A producer qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost share up to 75% of the cost to implement eligible measures.  Cost-sharing assistance is limited to $200,000 per person per natural disaster. 

 

Approved practices and measures include:

 

* installing pipelines or other facilities for livestock water or existing irrigation systems for orchards and

   vineyards 

* constructing and deepening wells for livestock water

* developing springs or seeps for livestock water

* excavation and embankment

 

Note: Silt removal from ponds is no longer available unless water is immediately available upon removal of silt.

 

            Producers, who have experienced severe drought conditions requiring outside assistance to provide supplemental emergency livestock water, may contact the local FSA County Office.  Requests for assistance will be accepted at the Roger Mills County FSA Office through January 16th, 2007.

 

            To be eligible for cost-shares, practices shall not be started until a request has first been filed at the FSA Office and an onsite inspection of the problem area has been made by the County Committee or its representative.  The County Committee will review the inspection findings when considering the request for cost-shares.

 

            For more information on this program or to set up an appointment for enrollment into this program, contact the Roger Mills County Farm Service Agency at (580) 497-2293 (ext. 2).