USDA issued $33.5M in relief funds to Indiana ag producers
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Indiana farmers have received $33.5 million as part of its $4 billion Emergency Relief Program to help recoup crop losses over the past two years. The agency says the funding represents nearly 67% of the more than $6 billion to be paid through this phase of the program.
The USDA mailed out pre-filled applications in May to producers with crop insurance who suffered losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021.
“Over the course of the past two years, natural disaster events in Indiana have resulted in catastrophic production and property losses for our agricultural producers,” said Julia Wickard, state executive director for FSA in Indiana. “Although these payments will not make these producers whole, they will help alleviate some of the financial stressors brought on by these severe and devastating weather events.”
The USDA says it is implementing ERP as a two-phased program, with the first phase utilizing existing claim data to provide expedited relief.
Commodity and specialty crop producers have until July 22 to submit applications.