State aid available for farmers affected by flooding
NORWICH – About $125,000 in state aid is available to Chenango County agricultural businesses that were impacted by the severe flooding of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
The grant is in the form of a Farm Operations Match Program, which will match 100 percent of the investment made by area farmers to replace feed and lost crops. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced back in September the creation of a $15 million Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund to assist New York farmers impacted by flooding and to restore agricultural businesses in the counties most affected.
Though the amount allocated to each affected county was pre-determined by state government, each county had to apply for the grant money, said Donna Jones, director of Chenango County planning and community development.
“This is much needed assistance for farmers hardest hit by the storms,” she said.
The State Office of Community Renewal has said the ACRF will match up to $50,000 for feed replacement and $10,000 for vegetable, bedding plant, nursery and flower replacement. To qualify for this assistance, farmers will need documentation of feed, crop, produce and nursery loss along with the replacement costs for eligible items between Aug. 28 and Oct. 31, 2011.
According to a 2007 census conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, there are 908 farms in Chenango County with agricultural land that accommodates for 30 percent of the county land area. The total market value of county farm products has steadily increased for several decades.
“Agriculture is the still the primary industry in the county,” said Jones. “These floods really impacted a lot of local agricultural businesses ... We are learning a lot from the flooding. What we had in 2006 was a 100 year flood – we had it again five years later,” she stated. “We really need to look at where we build farms, but unfortunately flood planes are the best agricultural lands.”
In addition to the states’ ACRF, Jones reminds local agricultural businesses of the FEMA loans currently available. “To get a FEMA small business loan, you still have to apply. The application is due Dec. 15,” she said.
For more information regarding the Agriculture and Community Recovery Fund, contact the offices at Homes and Community Renewal at 518-474-2057.
The grant is in the form of a Farm Operations Match Program, which will match 100 percent of the investment made by area farmers to replace feed and lost crops. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced back in September the creation of a $15 million Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund to assist New York farmers impacted by flooding and to restore agricultural businesses in the counties most affected.
Though the amount allocated to each affected county was pre-determined by state government, each county had to apply for the grant money, said Donna Jones, director of Chenango County planning and community development.
“This is much needed assistance for farmers hardest hit by the storms,” she said.
The State Office of Community Renewal has said the ACRF will match up to $50,000 for feed replacement and $10,000 for vegetable, bedding plant, nursery and flower replacement. To qualify for this assistance, farmers will need documentation of feed, crop, produce and nursery loss along with the replacement costs for eligible items between Aug. 28 and Oct. 31, 2011.
According to a 2007 census conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, there are 908 farms in Chenango County with agricultural land that accommodates for 30 percent of the county land area. The total market value of county farm products has steadily increased for several decades.
“Agriculture is the still the primary industry in the county,” said Jones. “These floods really impacted a lot of local agricultural businesses ... We are learning a lot from the flooding. What we had in 2006 was a 100 year flood – we had it again five years later,” she stated. “We really need to look at where we build farms, but unfortunately flood planes are the best agricultural lands.”
In addition to the states’ ACRF, Jones reminds local agricultural businesses of the FEMA loans currently available. “To get a FEMA small business loan, you still have to apply. The application is due Dec. 15,” she said.
For more information regarding the Agriculture and Community Recovery Fund, contact the offices at Homes and Community Renewal at 518-474-2057.
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