Disaster Assistance
Federal Assistance
USDA FSA ECP Emergency Conservation Program (due March 1): USDA’s Farm Service Agency in New York will allocate nearly $4-million throughout 25 counties, including all eight watershed counties, to help farmers rehabilitate land damaged by recent flooding. Funding will allow farmers to remove debris from farmland, repair the severe damage to land, restore fences, and repair conservation systems damaged by last year’s flooding. Call (607) 865-4005.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for agricultural producers and rural small businesses: $25.4 million available for grants (varied due dates) and guaranteed loan programs (due June 29) that support renewable energy systems (due March 30), efficiency measures, feasibility studies (due March 30) and energy audits (due February 21).
New York State Assistance
Business Flood Recovery Grant Program from Empire State Development awards up to $20,000 to farms, small businesses, nonprofits and multi-dwelling housing owners from a $21-million pool. (518) 292-5340 or email floodrecovery@esd.ny.gov (due March 16).
Empire State Development Flood Recovery Grant Program awards up to $20,000 to farms, small businesses, nonprofits and multi-dwelling housing owners from a $21-million pool.
The Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program has $3.2 million available in grants through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help farmers across the state reduce their energy use, save on operating costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of energy. The program will provide financial incentives to support 75 percent of the cost of electricity and gas efficiency investments. Farms that are eligible for the grants include: orchards, dairies, vineyards, maple producers, egg and poultry farms, grain, specialty crops, and others. Upgrades covered in the grants include: process improvements, lighting upgrades, and high-efficiency fan, pump, and motor systems, and other measures. Small farms could be eligible for free energy audits to assist in identifying energy efficiency projects. For more, call 800-732-1399.
Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund (ACRF), the Capital On-Farm Needs Component will provide funding up to $20,000 per eligible farm for capital losses caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The ACRF Capital On-Farm Needs Component is designed to help pay for capital losses, such as the repair or replacement of fixtures and equipment needed to maintain agricultural operations. Funding for this program will be provided in the form of grants for 50 percent of eligible costs up to $20,000 per farm. In addition to the Capital On-Farm Needs Component, other ACRF components include the ACRF Conservation Component, ACRF Farm Operation Match Component, and the ACRF Main Street Component.
Emergency Flood Assistance is available to program participants in eight watershed communities. Watershed landowners adversely affected by Hurricane Irene should fill out this damage assessment form, then contact the Council for a site visit and action plan. Call the Agricultural Program at (607) 865-7090.
New York State is making emergency funding available to 27 counties through the Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund. Priority will be given to projects submitted from Delaware, Greene and Schoharie counties. NYS Ag & Markets is funneling $15 million through county Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
Through the Conservation Program, the Council is working with SWCD, CCE, NRCS and FSA to assess, prioritize and address emergency water quality and farm livelihood issues. Much of this $5 million has been appropriated as of October 20, 2011.
The Farm Operation Match Program, jointly administered by NYS Ag & Markets and NYS Homes & Community Renewal, will funnel another $5 million to costs incurred to replace crops that would have been fed to livestock and crops that had to be replaced to maintain customers of CSA, farmers' markets and farmstands. Applications will be filled on a rolling basis.
Regional and Local Assistance
Farmers looking for--or willing to sell--feed, forage, silage and baylage should post their needs/surplus to the CCE Forage Exchange. Farmers are also encouraged to complete the Delaware County Emergency Forage Assessment Form so CCE, FSA and the Agricultural Program can accurately evaluate the extensive crop loss.
CLOSED: $5-million Agriculture Disaster Program coordinated through the NYS Public Service Commission and NYSERDA, for replacing electric and natural gas systems and equipment for milk processing, cooling, heating, and other farm systems (up to $100,000 per farm).
CLOSED: Farmer Flood Relief Fund grants: $27,000 distributed by grassroots effort.
