USDA extends aid to Montana after flooding disaster

In the wake of the President’s declaration of a major disaster in Montana, prompted by extensive flooding in ten counties during June of this year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued directives for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take an active role in the recovery process.  

USDA teams operating at the regional, state, and county levels have swiftly mobilized, delivering program flexibilities and critical assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities. 

For agricultural operations grappling with the aftermath of this disaster, USDA extends an array of risk management and disaster assistance options: 

• Federal Crop Insurance Program: In partnership with private companies and agents, this program offers coverage for losses incurred during the 2023 crop year for participating producers. 

• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): Producers who are not part of crop insurance can seek coverage through NAP. 

• Livestock and Perennial Crop Producers: Recognizing limited risk management choices, USDA provides vital disaster programs, including the Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-raised Fish Program. These programs offer reimbursements for losses stemming from natural disasters or feed and grazing acre shortages. 

• Tree Assistance Program: In the aftermath of storms, this program comes to the aid of orchards and vineyards, facilitating rehabilitation and replanting, an aspect not universally covered by NAP or Federal Crop Insurance. 

• Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program: These programs offer financial and technical support to landowners and forest stewards engaged in the restoration of damaged farmland and forests. 

USDA further extends its support through a range of farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, aimed at producers encountering challenges in securing commercial financing. These loans cater to property replacement, input purchase, family living expenses, debt refinancing, and various other needs. Thorough record-keeping and the immediate reporting of losses to local USDA Service Centers are of paramount importance. 

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, addressing both immediate and long-term needs for disaster recovery and water resource conservation.