By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened applications for its Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), providing $16 billion in funding to help agricultural producers recover from natural disaster-related crop losses during 2023 and 2024. This support includes farmers in Nebraska and other affected states.
To ensure rapid relief, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is rolling out SDRP in two stages. Stage One is now open to producers who have already received assistance through crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Applications for Stage One began July 10 at local FSA offices, and prefilled forms were mailed to eligible producers on July 9.
Stage Two, which covers shallow or uninsured crop losses, is expected to begin in early fall.
“American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has worked around the clock to deliver this relief directly to our farmers,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are taking swift action to ensure farmers will have the resources they need to continue to produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”
This initiative is part of a larger USDA plan to distribute the full $30 billion in Congressionally approved disaster aid this year. It also complements upcoming state block grants being coordinated with 14 states.
So far, over $7.8 billion has been distributed under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, and another $1 billion has been provided through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for drought and wildfire losses.
Producers in Nebraska are encouraged to contact their FSA offices or visit farmers.gov for application details and deadlines. This funding offers critical support for continuing farm operations following severe weather impacts.
Photo Credit:usda
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy