By ANN HINCH
Assistant Editor INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — While farmers worry about what they lost from their fields in recent floods, partners in Indiana state and federal branch government offices don’t want them to forget that crops aren’t the only things they need to worry about replacing – and soon.
“People are so focused on their crops and their resources,” said Charles Hibberd, director of Purdue University’s Cooperative Extension Service. “
They need to remember to spend a little time on their homes.”
To date, nearly 40 counties have been approved as eligible for FEMA individual assistance – that means those homeowners and renters may apply for grants of up to $28,800 or, if they don’t qualify, for low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Most of those counties have also been approved for public assistance from FEMA. This means local governments and some nonprofit agencies are eligible to apply for a 75 percent federal match to pay for debris removal, emergency services related to the flooding and repair or replacement of roads, buildings, utilities and other public service facilities.
Ag help
In addition, many central-southern Indiana counties have been declared federal agricultural disaster areas by the USDA. This makes those farmers eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans.
The farm bill Congress recently enacted does have an additional provision for disaster assistance – including non-commodity crops – but Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Officer Steve Brown said the regulations are still being written and the money should be available later this year.
Farmers should keep in contact with their local FSA office to learn more, as well as to find out if their county qualifies as a disaster declaration, since that information is being updated almost daily.
A special note: The Bartholomew County FSA and connected USDA offices were ruined in the flood, including records and furniture. Brown said backups of ruined computers were saved, and those offices are temporarily operating in Columbus. The same phone numbers apply, however, and calls will be forwarded.
Farmers who need to replace business-related equipment and items should apply right away through FEMA for SBA loans by calling 800-621-3362. Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller said it is an immediate help that farmers can pay back later with other specific agricultural funds, should they qualify.
“You’ve got entire farming operations affected by this,” he pointed out – crops, animals, equipment, growing and livestock supplies and land all at once. “Now is not the time to presume you can’t (qualify for a loan); you should presume you can, and apply.”
Even unemployment benefits may be available to farmers through the state Department of Workforce Development; the deadline to file is July 19. To learn more, call 800-891-6499 or visit www.in.gov/dwd
National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Jane Hardisty said if any farmer is currently under contract with that agency for an on-farm conservation practice that was ruined by floodwaters, they may receive assistance to reestablish. The agency also offers Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) and Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) dollars.
EWP money is to immediately help repair features that could be a public safety hazard, such as undercut roads, bridge abutments and tree and debris cleanup. “Those are the kind of things where we provide technical assistance, and also a little cost share money,” Hardisty said.
EWP requires a local sponsor willing to provide a 25 percent match for the cost of this work – a county commission, city council or the like. As of June 19, she said more than 28 projects totaling over $500,000 were underway, with half that money already having been physically paid out by USDA.
The ECP is to help individual farmers remove obstructions from their land, such as sandbars, tree stumps, fences and the like – sign-up is taking place through July 11. This also requires a 25 percent cost match from the farmer or landowner. Hardisty said farmers should also contact the NRCS if they have a compromised dam or levee – either that agency or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should be able to help.
“As we get into this, there’s always opportunities for us to request waivers,” she said, adding there are things she couldn’t necessarily mention because in every emergency there are “things you don’t dream of” that haven’t yet been taken into consideration.
Livestock
Indiana State Veterinarian Dr. Bret Marsh said there wasn’t much livestock loss in the flood, though there were some cattle reported. Producers who lived downstream were able to get warning in enough time to move their livestock and protect it.
His office has been working with about 60 private vets to establish shelters for pets and small animals, as well as for larger animals at area fairgrounds where there are suitable facilities.
Marsh stressed making sure livestock that was underwater have been washed and cleaned and are getting potable water and clean feed and that their feeding apparatus is similarly cleaned. Anything that was underwater in the swift-moving flood could be covered in all kinds of unfamiliar organisms which could be harmful to them. Feed, especially, should be disposed of.
“As those waters recede, we’re not sure what’s in there,” he explained.
Also, any carcass a farmer discovers that is bleeding from any cavity should be left alone, since Marsh explained it could be infected with anthrax. Anthrax can live in soil for decades, just waiting to be released by something like a flood. For this or any other carcass disposal, he recommended calling a local vet or the Board of Animal Health at 317-227-0300 or checking online at www.in.gov/boah |
