New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

Message from Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine
         The damage that Hurricane Irene did to farms and farmers in New York is truly catastrophic. In the days since the event I have traveled to numerous farms in the state and heard the horrific tales told by farmers who saw their homes, crops and livestock flooded.
         The thoughts and prayers of all of us at the Department of Agriculture and Markets go out to those who suffered storm losses. We are determined to help in the recovery.
         On this page you will find links to sources that provide assistance and resources needed to get through this difficult time. The road to recovery will be challenging, but we will meet those challenges together.

Hurricane Irene-Tropical Storm Lee Flood Mitigation Grant Program
Applications are being accepted from counties for flood mitigation and flood control projects in creeks, streams, and brooks impacted by Hurricane Irene and/or Tropical Storm Lee. The Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) will administer this program in collaboration with DEC. The total amount of funding available is $9 million. Grants will range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $500,000 per county for eligible projects.

Deadline Extended!
NYSERDA’s Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency Program that provides funding for energy-efficient repairs and the replacement of damaged electric and natural gas systems and equipment, such as milk processing, cooling, heating, and other farm systems from the Hurricane, has been extended. NYSERDA will continue to accept applications for the Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency Program April 30, 2012 or until the funds are exhausted.

Richard Ball of Schoharie Valley Farms explains the damage to his farm to Commissioner Aubertine and Farm Bureau President Dean Norton.

Field damage at a Schoharie County Farm

Debris piled on Schoharie County farm by the force of flood waters.

Barn destroyed by floodwaters on a Schoharie County farm.

Boat and debris thrown into damaged corn field on Schoharie County farm

A Schoharie County cornfield flattened by flooding.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE

Farm Credit East and United Way Help Farm Families
Farm Credit East in concert with United Way is coordinating an effort to help farm families hurt by Irene and Lee with personal donations (up to $500) to make their holiday season a little brighter. This support is for any farm family with $10,000 of crop losses/damage in designated disaster counties in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. This is not limited to Farm Credit customers.

FEMA Disaster Assistance
You may be eligible for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if your property has been damaged or destroyed, and for losses are not covered by insurance. This federal assistance is meant to help you with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways, and could include rental assistance and grants for home repairs, replacement of essential household items and personal property not covered by insurance, as well as medical, dental and funeral needs. Residents, including farmers, in those counties designated disasters by the President are eligible. To learn more about FEMA assistance, visit www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).

You may also visit FEMA’s DisasterAssistance.Gov, which provides information on how you might be able to get help from the U.S. Government before, during and after a disaster. On this site, you can take a Pre-Screening Questionnaire to obtain the most accurate list of assistance for which you may be eligible, as well as apply for assistance immediately online.

USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance
The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses to crops and livestock, as well as low-interest loans for the overall farm operation. For more information, visit the FSA website or contact your county FSA office. Following are the specific programs FSA offers.

New York State Disaster Unemployment Assistance
The New York State Department of Labor administers a federally-funded Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program to help workers whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the storm. This assistance is available for those who do not qualify for regular state unemployment benefits, including farmers. The first step for those affected is to call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124, or 1-877-358-5306 if you live out of state. To learn more, visit the Department of Labor’s website.

PSC & NYSERDA Disaster Assistance for Farmers
The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced a $5 million Agriculture Disaster Program to immediately help farms replace systems and equipment damaged or lost due to Hurricane Irene and/or Tropical Storm Lee.

The program provides funding for energy-efficient repair and replacement of damaged electric and natural gas systems and equipment, such as milk processing, cooling, heating, and other farm systems. Emphasis will be placed on fast application response and face-to-face, on-line, telephone and other support needed by farmers.

This program was approved by the Commission and is being administered through NYSERDA with assistance from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets. Assistance is available for equipment or systems purchased on or after August 28, 2011 for sites affected by Hurricane Irene, or September 4, 2011 for sites affected by Tropical Storm Lee.

OTHER RESOURCES & INFORMATION

New York State Cleanup
Visit Governor Cuomo’s website for up-to-the-minute information on the State’s recovery efforts, available assistance, press releases, photographs and other resources. On this site, you can also sign up to assist in local clean-up efforts through the Governor’s “Labor for your Neighbor” program, or donate online to the United Way.

American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
Red Cross is providing numerous services to those in need, including food, shelter and emotional support. In addition, they are distributing clean-up kits that include a broom, mop, bleach, bucket, degreaser, sponge and brush, as well as tarps, gloves, shovels, rakes and other items needed in the clean-up process. Red Cross has representatives in FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to assist families in need. For more information, visit www.redcrossneny.org.

Donations can be sent by mail to the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York, 33 Everett Rd., Albany, NY, 12205. Ten dollar donations can also be made by texting REDCROSS to 90999. To register as a volunteer, call the Red Cross at (518) 458-8111.

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is a key outreach system of Cornell University with a strong public mission and an extensive local presence that is responsive to needs in New York communities. The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) is part of a national effort through the Cooperative Extension System to reduce the impact of natural and human-made disasters. EDEN links all Land-Grant Universities and county Cooperative Extension Educators so they may share resources to help individuals and communities prepare for and recover from disasters. The NY EDEN website is a portal to information on preparing for and recovering from disasters and emergencies that are relevant to residents of New York State.

Emergency Disaster Designations
Learn about the federal disaster designation and declaration process and see if your farm operation is part of a current Emergency Disaster Designation by visiting disasterhelp.gov.

EPA Guidance for Agriculture on Natural Disasters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidance on how to prepare for and recover from natural events and disasters. Because agriculture relies on the weather, climate, and water availability to thrive, it is easily impacted by natural events and disasters. Agricultural impacts from natural events and disasters most commonly include: contamination of water bodies, loss of harvest or livestock, increased susceptibility to disease, and destruction of irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure. Find information on how to salvage flood-damaged hay, sheltering livestock, and fixing flood-damaged tractors, and more on EPA’s website.

Forage Exchange Established
A new online forage exchange created by Cornell Cooperative Extension is now available to ensure that flooded New York farms will not run out of feed for their livestock.
Hurricane Irene devastated many New York Farms, damaged others, and left still other farms relatively untouched. Many flood-damaged farms are in desperate need of feed and forage. The Forage Exchange provides an online venue for farmers who have available feed and forage to post that information, and for farmers in need to locate feed and forage. All transactions (including making arrangements for transportation) will take place between the farmers themselves.
The Forage Exchange is posted online. Cooperative Extension created the Exchange in cooperation with the New York Farm Bureau and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

FDA Guidance on Food Safety
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that certain foods exposed to flood waters, and perishable foods that are not adequately refrigerated, are adulterated and should not enter the human food supply. In addition, crops and other food commodities exposed to flood waters would not be acceptable for use in animal feed. FDA is also providing guidance in determining when food products can be reconditioned for future use. The information is on FDA’s website.

New York Farm Bureau
New York Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community in New York. Farm Bureau has been instrumental in communicating with its membership during this disaster, as well as communicating with others the extent of the destruction and loss of property and crops. Visit Farm Bureau’s website for more information and guidance offered by the organization.

New York FarmNet
FarmNet is a comprehensive program that provides farm families with a network of information, contacts and services to aid them in times of crisis. FarmNet staff offer financial and personal counseling to New York farmers during times of adversity, all at no cost to the farmer. To learn more about New York FarmNet’s services, visit their website or contact them at 1-800-547-FARM (3276)

If you wish to contribute to FarmNet, please send monetary donations to NY Farm Net, 415 Warren Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-7801.

New York State Agricultural Mediation Program
Agricultural mediation is a tool for farmers and others in the ag community to communicate clearly, negotiate effectively, and to find fair and workable solutions. Mediation is confidential and voluntary. NYSAMP services are usually free and always affordable. For more information on agricultural mediation, visit NYSAMP or call 866-669-7267.

Schoharie County Community Action Program
The Schoharie County Community Action Program (SCCAP) is coordinating relief efforts for the Schoharie Valley, and is providing victims with food, water, diapers, infant formula, cleaning supplies and other necessities. Visit SCCAP for more information.

To contribute to SCCAP, please send monetary donations to Schoharie County Community Action Program, 795 East Main St., Suite 5, Cobleskill, NY, 12043. SCCAP is also accepting donations of non-perishable food and supplies.

Soil & Water Conservation Districts
As the state’s lead agency for agricultural nonpoint source pollution control programs, county Soil & Water Conservation Districts are a vital partner in rebuilding agricultural communities after a natural disaster. To learn more about Soil & Water services, visit their website, or to find your county office, click here.

Disaster Assistance Available for Farmers

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE

OTHER RESOURCES & INFORMATION

PRESS RELEASES