FSA help available to Swain County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program to address damages from flooding in early February in Swain County. ECP signup will continue through Monday, May 11.
The approved ECP practices under this authorization include 1) debris removal from farmland; 2) grading, shaping, releveling, or similar measures; and 3) restoring permanent fences. ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. A 25 percent advance payment will be allowed for repair or replacement of fencing.
Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. For more information on ECP, contact the Bryson City USDA Service Center at 828.488.2684, extension 2, or visit www.farmers.gov/recover.
