FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Rep. Crawford Praises Long-awaited Disaster Aid Relief to Farmers

5/17/2022

Jonesboro — Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments from an allotment of approximately $6 billion through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and value losses. 

This announcement comes after Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture in April requesting an immediate update on USDA’s plans to implement disaster assistance enacted into law last Fall. 

In June 2021, Arkansas farmers suffered catastrophic losses due to significant flooding in the Southeast region of the state. Financial assistance appeared to be on the horizon with the passage of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), which included $6.28 billion for USDA’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+), in September 2021. Along with the aid, the legislation also required USDA to submit a report to Congress no later than January 28, 2022, outlining the type, amount, and method of assistance by state and territory. 

“I’m relieved that USDA finally announced intentions to distribute this much needed assistance to agriculture producers. Our farmers are facing multiple challenges, including rising input costs and unforeseen disasters. American farmers deserve certainty as they continue their role in feeding and clothing the world, which is critical at a time when threats of food shortages loom,” said Rep. Crawford.

Lists of 2020 and 2021 drought counties eligible for ERP is available on the emergency relief website.  

Full ERP payment calculation factor tables are available on the emergency relief website and in the program fact sheet.

Farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local FSA office if they have any additional questions.

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