USDA Farm Service Agency

CT Department of Ag. Urges Farmers to Report Crop Damage or Loss from Tropical Storm Elsa to USDA Farm Service Agency

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vegetables in a wheelbarrow in a greenhouse
Photo: USDA

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and agricultural producers who may have experienced crop damage or loss due to Tropical Storm Elsa to declare a loss to their United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Crop losses can be modified after the initial reporting as necessary.

The damage assessment for a USDA disaster declaration is based on a 30% loss of any crop per county.  Only losses reported within that initial three-day window count towards the 30% threshold.

 

 

Reports should include:

  • Crops damaged
  • Total acre(s) planted per crop(s)
  • # of acres destroyed or % of crop destroyed per crop
  • Livestock damage
  • Physical damage to equipment, buildings, fencing, trees, or damage caused by erosion

It is critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and report those losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible. For more information on disaster assistance, visit farmers.gov.

Natural Disaster Designation for Connecticut Counties

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Auer farmThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a natural disaster designation for counties in Connecticut. At the request of Governor Lamont, farm operators who experienced damage and losses caused by Tropical Storm Isaias from August 4-5, 2020 are eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Click here to read the full designation letter.

More info on the USDA’s disaster assistance program can be found at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA FSA Farm Loan Program

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Attention farmers:
Agricultural producers throughout CT often struggle with limited lending options for their farm operations. The USDA Farm Service Agency has programs available to support farmers who are unable to obtain commercial credit for a multitude of reasons. Loans are available for both real estate and operating purposes and can serve both long-standing family farms and those just
starting out.
If you are interested in hearing more about our loan programs or to see where your farm may fit in with the program’s mission, please reach out to our office in Norwich, CT. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you – Carolyn, Melanie & Skye

USDA FSA Farm Loans Graphic