Disaster Assistance Available for Producers Impacted by Severe Winter Storms - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST aginfo.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aginfo.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Public Affairs Specialist with NRCS
Retired U.S. Army Major Joseph Labarbera’s focus has always been clear service to country. After 22 years of military service, Joseph purchased a 30-acre farm in Stillwater, N.J., to raise Dexter cattle and St. Croix sheep. He has since worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to incorporate conservation practices and grow his operation. If you’re a military veteran interested in agriculture, USDA offers resources to support you and your working land.
A FUTURE IN FARMING
While deployed to Iraq in 2004, Labarbera’s platoon met with a local sheikh. The soldiers were astounded to see date and palm trees surrounding lush farmland in an area that was otherwise dry desert. After the meeting, the sheikh unrolled a scroll with a fig vine containing hundreds of leaves. Written on each leaf was the name of one of the sheikh’s ancestors who had worked the land before him.
Third-party certification
Additionally, USDA can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) also has a variety of loans available including emergency loans that are triggered by disaster declarations and operating loans that can assist producers with credit needs.
Ensure food safety
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is helping ensure affected households and communities are taking the proper steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness during severe weather and power outages. Food safety tips for before, during and after a weather emergency are available on the FSIS website.
USDA ready to assist farmers, ranchers and communities affected by winter storms thefencepost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thefencepost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.