Department of Agriculture

Hawaii farmers and ranchers who have suffered storm damage are encouraged to contact their nearest USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) to report the damages.  FSA is conducting a preliminary damage assessment to determine whether federal assistance and a Secretarial Disaster Declaration is warranted.

The following are FSA programs:

United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) has available the following programs (also see the attached fact sheets) which may assist agricultural producers who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Iselle:

• Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) helps to offset production losses for those producers who were signed-up in advance. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=pfs&newstype=prfactsheet&type=detail&item=pf_20080819_distr_en_nap08.html

• Tree Assistance Program (TAP) is available for qualifying fruit orchardists of papaya, banana and tropical fruits.  The program provides cost share to clean up and replant.  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=pfs&newstype=prfactsheet&type=detail&item=pf_20140415_distr_en_tap14.html

• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) can assist farmers and ranchers with the clean-up of field damage to farms and ranches including debris removal and fence replacement.  This program must be authorized by FSA’s National Office and based upon assessed impacts.  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=ecp

• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) helps offset ranchers’ losses of cattle, goats or sheep.  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/lip_long_fact_sht_2014.pdf

• Farm Loan Programs offers a range of low-interest loan programs to assist producers.  Additionally, producers with existing loans with FSA should contact their loan officer once they anticipate having problems making their regular payments, as FSA may be able to modify their payment schedule or meet other needs.  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=landing

• For more information about FSA’s programs including what you need to do in advance of the next disaster visit www.fsa.usda.gov/hi or for a more comprehensive look at USDA disaster assistance visit: www.usda.gov/disaster.

To find your nearest FSA office, go to:  https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=hi&agency=fsa

STATE ASSISTANCE

In addition, the HDOA Agricultural Loan Division reminds farmers to contact their nearest office if they need emergency loan assistance to help them recover from storm damage and crop losses.  Here is a link to HDOA’s Agricultural Loan Division webpage: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/