By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Tennessee has extended the application deadline for two recovery programs - the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).
The new deadline is August 4, 2025, providing additional time for producers to apply for assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The ECP offers financial assistance and technical support to restore farmland to its pre-disaster conditions. This includes activities like debris removal, grading, fence restoration, and emergency soil erosion control measures.
Eligible producers can receive up to 75% cost-share, with a maximum limit of $500,000 per event.
“The recovery and restoration process takes time,” said Mike Mayfield, State Executive Director for FSA in Tennessee. “We’ve extended the deadline to give producers additional time to complete applications and finalize clean-up and restoration efforts.”
The EFRP focuses on nonindustrial private forestland restoration. Approved practices include debris removal, site preparation, planting materials, and wildlife habitat enhancement. Like the ECP, EFRP offers up to 75% cost-share, with a maximum of $500,000 per event.
Both programs waive onsite inspections for specific restoration activities to speed up approvals. This ensures that critical recovery efforts can begin without delay.
Producers interested in applying for these programs should contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery for more information.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National