The following press release was issued on Friday:

The USDA/Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Oregon has announced that the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) is available to assist nurseries and other farm operations that suffered damage during the ice and snow storms in late December.

The Emergency Conservation Program provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. ECP is administered by state and county FSA committees. Subject to availability of funds, locally-elected county committees are authorized to implement ECP for all disasters.

Plant nurseries and other farm operations that sustained damage to hoop houses or other temporary structures due to the ice and snow should contact their local FSA Office to inquire about signup dates for the ECP. Funds may be made available to assist with debris removal of damaged structures. Damaged permanent irrigation systems may also be eligible. Permanent structures such as green houses, storage buildings or livestock barns are not eligible nor are portable irrigation systems.

Individual or cumulative requests for cost-sharing of $50,000 or less per person, per disaster are approved at the county committee level. Cost-sharing from $50,001 to $100,000 is approved at the state committee level. Cost-sharing over $100,000 must be approved by FSA’s national office.

The FSA Offices will compile notice of losses and make site visits to determine eligibility for the program. ECP program participants receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices, as determined by county FSA committees. Landowner and/or operators should visit the local FSA office as soon as possible. The location of local offices may be found here.

You may also find telephone number and location in your local telephone directory under US Government/Farm Service Agency or USDA.