If you’re a Farmer or Rancher, you know that Mother Nature doesn’t always play nice. Droughts and fires can devastate your land and make it difficult (if not impossible) to feed and care for your livestock. That’s where the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) comes in.
Offered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), LFP provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses to their grazing lands. Whether you’re dealing with a drought that’s turned your pastures into dust bowls or a wildfire that’s burned up your feed supply, the LFP can help you get back on your feet and keep your operation running.
To be eligible for the LFP Program:
- You must have suffered at least a 30% loss of grazing lands due to a drought or wildfire. (Sorry, that patchy lawn of yours doesn’t count as grazing land.)
- You must be in compliance with the conservation requirements of the FSA. This means following best practices for soil and water conservation on your land for the health and sustainability of your operation.
- You must have a valid grazing land lease. This is especially important if you don’t own your own land.
If you meet these requirements, congratulations! You may be eligible for one of two types of assistance through the LFP program:
- Loss Assistance: This includes payments to compensate for losses to your grazing lands, as well as funds to cover the cost of hay, feed, and other supplies needed to feed your livestock. This can be a huge help if you’re struggling to keep your operation running due to a natural disaster.
- Restoration Assistance: If your grazing lands have been damaged by a natural disaster, you may be able to receive financial assistance to help restore them to their previous condition. This can involve things like reseeding pastures, repairing fences, and other efforts to get your land back in shape.
What do you need to apply for assistance through the LFP program?
The next step is gathering all the documentation and proof of loss that you’ll need to submit with your application. This may include records of your expenses related to hay, feed, and other supplies, as well as documentation of the natural disaster that caused your losses, and any other records that can help the FSA determine the extent of your loss. Additionally, provide information about your farm or ranch. The FSA will need to know the size and type of your operation, as well as the commodities you produce. This will help them determine the appropriate level of assistance for your situation. The more documentation you can provide, the better.
Can the LFP program help you? Subscribers to Ag Funding Assistance will receive convenient printable pdf forms, contact information for all programs, and text message reminders 5 days prior to deadlines and closing dates to help you apply for LFP through your local FSA office.
Whether you’re dealing with a drought or wildfire, a little help from the LFP Program can help bring life back to your land.
