The following is reproduced from the September 22, 2008, issue of "In A Nutshell" newsletter. The "attached file" can be found at the bottom of the page.
Disaster Assistance
The deadline has been extended until September 30 for the buy-in waiver for obtaining non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the 2008 crop year in 55 parishes in Louisiana. The parishes in which the deadline was not extended are Bienville, Caddo, DeSoto, St. Tammany, Webster, Bossier, Claiborne, Red River and Washington. A 2008 disaster assistance newsletter written by Dr. Kurt Guidry from LSU AgCenter is attached. The deadline for purchasing NAP coverage for the 2009 crop is December 1, 2008.
All growers that had significant crop loss and or tree damage should check with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) in the USDA Service Center as soon as possible. It is important to document storm damage with FSA, and be sure to take photographs of the damage. Some orchards will need considerable cleaning up before pecan harvest can start.
There is also an Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), which is a clean-up program that can aid clean up of orchards with a lot of down trees and limbs. This program does not require NAP coverage.
The availability of funds for the various disaster programs for a specific grower will depend on the amount of damage received, the disaster designation of the parish and the funds approved for the disaster by the U.S. Congress.