By Scout Nelson
Nebraska farmers and ranchers affected by the severe wildfires that spread across parts of the state in March and April will be able to access federal financial assistance after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a Secretarial Disaster Declaration. The approval follows a request submitted by Governor Jim Pillen and is intended to help agricultural producers recover from wildfire-related losses.
The declaration allows eligible farmers and ranchers in designated areas to apply for emergency loan assistance through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The funding can help producers manage losses and recovery expenses linked to the Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby, and Minor wildfires.
The disaster designation includes four primary counties-Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morrill. It also extends eligibility to producers in 17 neighboring counties, including Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawson, Deuel, Frontier, Hayes, Hooker, Keith, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Scotts Bluff, and Sheridan.
Affected producers have up to eight months to apply for emergency loan assistance. Farmers and ranchers in eligible counties are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for information on available programs, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
The federal assistance is expected to provide much-needed financial relief as agricultural communities continue rebuilding and recovering from the wildfire damage.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy