WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA announced Jan. 10 the agency is offering disaster assistance to Kentucky farmers who were impacted by the recent rash of tornadoes that touched down across the state last month.

“Production agriculture is vital to Kentucky’s economy, and the USDA stands ready to assist in the recovery from tornadoes and severe weather,” said Robert Bonnie, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation.

“USDA employees are working diligently to deliver the USDA’s extensive portfolio of disaster assistance programs and services to all impacted agricultural producers,” he added.

On Dec. 10, 2021, a violent, long-tracked tornado moved across Western Kentucky, producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Princeton, Dawson Springs, and Bremen. On New Year’s Day, up to 10 tornadoes were reported in multiple Kentucky counties from storms across the state, according to the National Weather Service in Louisville, Ky.

The USDA said livestock producers may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program, which provides benefits for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather.

“Livestock producers who are contract growers (i.e., poultry and swine) should work closely with their local Farm Service Agency office to determine program eligibility,” the USDA said.

Moreover, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. Producers will need to file a notice of loss within 30 days; notices of honeybee losses must be filed within 15 days.

In addition, eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines damaged by natural disasters. Applications must be filed within 90 days.

Dean Schamore, Farm Service Agency’s state executive director for Kentucky, said this complements the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program or crop insurance coverage that provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

But the program only covers the crop, and not the plants or trees in all cases, he said.

“Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local Farm Service Agency office to timely report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses,” he said.

“To expedite Farm Service Agency disaster assistance, you will likely need to provide documents, such as farm records, livestock inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses,” he added.

Farm Service Agency is also offering a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans – including operating and emergency farm loans – to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses.

Loans can also help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm-related debts, and other needs.

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables, floriculture, hops, maple sap, milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, meat/poultry (unprocessed), rye and aquaculture.

Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns, bulk tanks, and facilities for cold storage. Drying and handling and storage equipment is also eligible, including storage and handling trucks. Eligible facilities and equipment may be new or used, permanently affixed or portable.

Roddric Bell, director of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency for Kentucky, said producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, or Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or Farm Service Agency office.

“Crop insurance and other USDA risk management options are there to help producers manage risk because we never know what nature has in store for the future,” he said. “The Approved Insurance Providers, loss adjusters and agents are experienced and well trained in handling these types of events.”

In addition, the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can help landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland or forests.

The Emergency Conservation Program can also cover costs associated with hauling debris and its disposal. (Farm Service Agency is considering other flexibilities for Emergency Conservation Program and site inspections.)

Greg Stone, Kentucky’s state conservationist, said the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters.

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service can be a very valuable partner to help landowners with their recovery efforts,” he said. “Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages, and develop approaches that focus on effective recovery of the land.”