Final chance for 2022 USDA relief funds

Jul 18, 2024

Apply by August 14, 2024, for USDA’s emergency relief program

By Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers of the approaching deadline to apply for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to mitigate losses from 2022’s natural disasters.

The deadline to submit applications is August 14, 2024, with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) having opened the application window in October 2023.

“Don’t delay. Gather up your documents and contact your local office to complete the application process,” advised FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. He highlighted the importance for those affected by disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events to seek the available support.

The ERP 2022 is part of the broader Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, through which Congress has provided $3.2 billion to aid in covering an estimated $10 billion in crop and other agricultural losses.

The program specifically addresses losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines from various qualifying natural disasters occurred in 2022.

This initiative is part of the USDA's efforts to support recovery in the agricultural sector, ensuring farmers can continue operations and contribute to the food supply chain despite the setbacks from natural calamities.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.