Farmers who lost certain crop, tree, and vine production due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can soon apply for assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).
Pre-filled applications entered the mail stream on July 9. Farmers may submit the “FSA-526, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage One Application” at county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices starting July 10.
Thirty-five percent of the calculated eligible payment will be made.
Alabama FSA Executive Director Monica Carroll said the aid comes at a critical time for farm country.
“We are excited to get this assistance in the hands of our producers as quickly as possible,” Carroll said. “Our farmers are facing the worst economic crisis since the 1980s, and successive years of disasters have worsened many farmers’ financial conditions. We appreciate President Trump’s follow-through supporting our rural communities and economies.”
Eligible producers received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) the last two years. Covered disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.
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To qualify for drought-related coverage, the loss must have occurred in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks; D3 (extreme drought); or greater intensity level during the applicable calendar year.
Farmers who receive SDRP payments must purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two available crop years at the 60% coverage level or higher. Producers who fail to comply must refund the SDRP payment, plus interest, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins made the announcement today during a program for American Farm Bureau Federation state presidents, including Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.
“American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed,” Rollins said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has worked around the clock to deliver this relief directly to our farmers. We are taking swift action to ensure farmers will have the resources they need to continue to produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”
If funds remain, FSA will announce its Stage Two SDRP assistance for eligible shallow or uncovered losses this fall.
Courtesy of ALFA Farmers
