U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced two programs that collectively provide $3.7 billion in assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to natural disasters like Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. They are the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program.
USDA photo by Tom Witham
To participate in the programs, producers should have or be prepared to have the following forms on file with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA):
- Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet (as applicable to the program participant)
- Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity
- Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable)
- Form AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification
Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in USDA FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center.
Producers with eligible crop losses who did not have federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) risk management coverage for 2022 and intend to apply for ERP assistance will need to pull together revenue information that is readily available from most tax records. The FSA encourages producers to have their tax documents from the past few years and supporting materials ready, including Schedule F (Form 1040) Profit or Loss from Farming. FSA will not require these forms to be submitted with the ERP application, but will require a certification, similar to adjusted gross income certification that has been used for many years for farm bill programs. Applicants simply report and certify to the information required for the program.
Crop producers who have federal crop insurance coverage should ensure that information on file with their insurance agent is accurate and that any pending activities needed to file loss claims for 2022 are addressed as soon as possible. Producers who received ERP assistance last year or who will receive assistance for 2022 losses are required to purchase crop insurance or NAP for the next two crop years.
“In addition to this relief, we continue to work on authorization for the implementation of a block grant program,” said Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual chief executive officer.
Sources: FCM and USDA
