USDA Extends Deadline For Emergency Conservation Program Applications For Maui Producers

Funding Available to Help Restore Lands to Pre-Disaster Condition, Replace or Repair Fencing

October 16, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for accepting Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) applications from Maui agricultural producers who need assistance to address damages from wildfires and high winds that occurred August 2023. Maui County in Hawaii was approved to implement ECP for damage caused by wildfires and high winds.  The application deadline has been extended to December 11, 2023.

"We understand the extent of the damage caused by these severe storms and the catastrophic and widespread impacts of these disasters on Maui county's agricultural community," said James Robello, County Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Maui County. "This deadline extension will give producers more time to apply for emergency assistance and rebuild with resiliency."

ECP provides financial assistance to producers to help them restore their farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75% of the cost of an approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90% cost-share. The payment limitation for ECP is $500,000 per disaster event.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization for recovery include:

• Removing debris from farmland;
• Grading, shaping, releveling, or similar measures;
• Replacing or repairing permanent fences; and
• Restoring conservation structures and other installations

Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. If a producer submits an ECP application after reconstructive work has been completed, their eligibility for program benefits may be adversely impacted.

The Maui County FSA county committee will evaluate applications based on an applicant's estimate or measurement of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. On-site visits will be required for every ECP application. Applying for ECP assistance does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance.

More Information

For more information on ECP, please contact your local FSA office at 808-871-5500 ext 2 or visit farmers.gov/recover. To find your local FSA office visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

Additional USDA disaster assistance can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.