The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, last week, began announcing what California producers are hopeful will be a large slate of drought related programs for 2022. Below are details on two new programs that producers should consider:

Emergency Livestock Relief Program: USDA announced the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) that producers who have approved applications through FSA’s 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program for losses of grazing acres due to severe drought or wildfire will soon begin receiving. ELRP payments will help compensate for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021 through FSA’s new ELRP.

Grassland Conservation Reserve Program: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages producers and landowners to enroll in theGrassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting this week throughMay 13, 2022. Grassland CRP provides a unique opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to keep land in agricultural production and supplement their income while improving their soils and permanent grass cover.The program had its highest enrollment in history in 2021 and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to equip producers with the tools they need to help address climate change and invest in the long-term health of our natural resources.

WUD encourages producers to contact their local FSA office to learn more about enrollment in these programs and others that may offer relief for drought related issues on farm. Please do not wait, as FSA offices become very busy processing applications for these deadlines. For more information on available resources visit: fsa.usda.gov