By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will soon begin accepting applications for a $20.5 billion disaster relief program to assist farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that the application portal will be launched before the end of May.
This new aid includes $2 billion allocated specifically for livestock producers and may be distributed through block grants or direct payments.
Rollins also highlighted that over $7.3 billion has already been distributed to 472,000 farmers under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), which started in March.
“It’s a little more complicated because we don’t have specifics,” Rollins stated when comparing the new program to ECAP. Lawmakers expect the disaster program to follow models like the 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP).
Concerns over USDA's proposed $4.6 billion in cuts were raised, along with worries about cancelled or frozen programs, especially affecting local food systems and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Despite the reductions, Rollins assured, “It is not in our plan to close any of those offices,” regarding local FSA offices.
Rollins also addressed staffing, stating that 15% of the USDA workforce had taken deferred resignation but key frontline roles would remain protected.
“The decision to cancel these vital programs only hurts families trying to put food on the table,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, referencing local food initiatives like LFPA and LFS. Rollins responded that many states had leftover funds and the programs were meant to be temporary.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National