USDA Urges Farmers and Rural Communities to Prepare as Winter Storm Fern Approaches

Producers advised to protect livestock, safeguard food supplies, and review available USDA disaster assistance ahead of severe winter weather.

As Winter Storm Fern advances across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers, ranchers, families, and rural businesses in its projected path to take immediate steps to prepare for severe winter weather. USDA staff across regional, state, and county offices are ready to support communities before, during, and after the storm.

USDA recommends that producers and rural residents use its Disaster Resource Center and Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool to learn about federal programs designed to help households and agricultural operations recover from natural disasters. Local USDA Service Centers are also available to help individuals determine which programs best fit their needs.

Protecting Pets and Livestock Before Winter Storm Fern
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is also advising animal owners to prepare immediately as the storm approaches. Recommended steps include:

• Provide adequate shelter, dry bedding, and access to unfrozen water for livestock and pets.
• If transporting livestock across state lines, contact the receiving state’s State Veterinarian for movement requirements. APHIS Veterinary Services state offices can assist as needed.
• Follow all directions from emergency management officials.

Food Safety: What to Do During Power Outages
Winter storms routinely cause power disruptions that can jeopardize refrigerated or frozen food. USDA officials are reminding households to take precautions to prevent foodborne illness if outages occur.

Key recommendations include:

• Refrigerators will keep food below 40°F for up to four hours if unopened.
• Full freezers maintain safe temperatures for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full).
• Keep appliance doors closed as much as possible.
• Do not store food outdoors, as temperatures may fluctuate and contamination from animals or debris is possible.
• Freeze containers of water ahead of the storm or set containers outside to form ice; place them around perishable items to extend cold storage.
• Freeze items like leftovers, milk, and fresh meat or poultry before the storm to prolong their safe storage.
• Purchase dry or block ice if a lengthy outage is expected—50 pounds can keep an 18 cubic foot freezer cold for two days.
• Group foods together in the freezer to maintain lower temperatures longer.
• Keep several days of ready to eat foods on hand that do not require heating or refrigeration.

Risk Management and Disaster Assistance for Producers
For agricultural operations expecting storm impacts, USDA is reminding producers that several programs may assist with recovery.

Farmers covered under Federal Crop Insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) should:

• Report losses within 72 hours of discovering damage
• Provide a written follow up within 15 days to their crop insurance agent or local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office Early reporting ensures eligibility for potential disaster support and post storm assessments.

Photo Credit: Pexels - Antoine Coutu