Disaster Assistance for Farmers

Donate to the Family Farm Disaster Fund

Farm Aid's Family Farm Disaster Fund helps farm families recover from weather-related disasters. We have more than 30 years of experience responding immediately to family farmers in the face of disasters. Donations to this fund gives Farm Aid the ability to directly address the needs of disaster-affected farmers. Give to the Disaster Fund now

If you’re a farmer affected by COVID-19, please check out this running list of available resources.

If you’re a farmer affected by wildfires on the West Coast, Community Alliance with Family Farmers has a helpful list of Disaster Recovery Resources; as well as an emergency fund you can apply to here. Para español, visite: www.caff.org/aplicacion-agricola-incendios-2020

Our friends at Organic Seed Alliance also have a list of resources for supporting seed grower as well here.

One hundred percent of every dollar raised for the Family Farm Disaster Fund will go directly to work for family farmers who need it now. Click here to donate.

Assistance from federal programs can make a world of difference for farmers after a disaster. The next few pages outline current disaster programs, all of which are available to farmers. Be sure to check with the appropriate agency for any changes in details from those listed below. As you review the programs that may be of help to you, the following issues are important to remember:

1. Document Everything

Almost every program or policy that can be of help to farmers will require documentation of the loss. After a disaster, only physical safety is more urgent than documenting the damage. Collect photos, notes, descriptions, and keep receipts and anything and everything that will help to prove to a person that has never been to the farm what happened there.

For important info on what to document and what to expect when working with the Farm Service Agency and others, visit this guide (PDF) from our partners at RAFI-USA.

2. Contact Agencies Right Away

The agencies that you as a farmer will deal with for the disaster, primarily FEMA and USDA, need to be contacted as soon as possible. This is especially true for USDA if you have not worked with them in the past. Also, keep a record of all of contacts with people from agencies, insurance companies, contractors, and anyone else officially involved in the recovery effort.

Find resources that are active now and determine your program eligibility at DisasterAssistance.gov.

USDA:

Use the USDA Discovery Tool to find USDA programs that might be right for you.

You can get basic information about USDA-Farm Service Agency programs at the following sites:

USDA Disaster Resource Center

Programs At A Glance

Fact Sheets (additional info on each program)

Emergency Programs Overview

Disaster Assistance Programs Overview

Weather Events

You can find your local USDA office at this link.

FEMA/Homeland Security:

For additional information on FEMA programs, visit:

Disaster Assistance Programs

Programs for Individuals

Grants and Assistance Programs

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

SBA:

Small Business Administration can help with assistance for your home and farm. Find out more details here.

IRS:

There may be special tax provisions available to you if you’re impacted by a disaster. Find more info here.

3. Deadlines Will Come Fast

All disaster programs have deadlines. Some of them come very quickly. Deadlines are discussed in the table included. Check with your local agency offices to make sure of deadlines.

Navigating Disaster Assistance for Farmers (PDF) has a chart of the main programs for farmers with details on eligibility, uses, and deadlines.

4. Programs Usually Have Appeals Processes

Disaster relief programs usually include an appeals process. If you are denied from a program, know that “no” is not always the final answer.

Farmers’ Guide to Disaster Assistance was developed by the Farmers’ Legal Action Group and has in-depth information on each program, your rights, and appeals.

5. Recovery is a Long Process… and Often Includes Mental Health Issues

Recovery from a disaster will be a long process. As is the case with other traumatic experiences, people tend to go through stages as they react to a disaster. Attention to the mental health of everyone involved is essential. Be patient and caring with yourself and others.

Feeling like the stress is unbearable? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You do not have to be suicidal to make the call!

6. Scam Artists Will Come Around

Unfortunately, scam artists always arrive soon after a disaster. Be careful. Ideally, get work proposals in writing; do not pay in cash; do not pay more than one third of the cost up front; and do not let contractors or others force you to make a decision on the spot.

7. Discrimination is Illegal

The programs are available to all who are eligible. Discrimination is illegal. Each agency should have a discrimination complaint process.

8. You Can Call Farm Aid

We know that navigating these programs can be overwhelming as you work to rebuild. Please know that you can call 1-800-FARM-AID at any time if you need emotional support or help with the details. Farm Aid can put you in touch with someone near you to help you figure things out. You can also visit Farm Aid’s Resource Guide for Farm Crisis Support for additional information. For more info on a wide array of disaster resources, visit FLAG’s Disaster/Risk Management site.

We work to keep this page up-to-date. If you know of additional resources you can share with us, please email farmhelp@farmaid.org or call our hotline at 1-800-FARMAID.