USDA Announces Additional Disaster Assistance Signup

Later this month, the USDA will open signup for disaster assistance for producers to apply for eligible losses of drought and excess moisture.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the additional disaster assistance late last week.Through WHIP+, USDA is helping producers recover from losses related to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters; the sign up deadline is March 23^rd.

USDA is also entering into agreements with six sugar beet processing cooperatives to distribute $285 million to grower members of those cooperatives who experienced loss.

Secretary Perdue said, "disaster events the past two years have been atypically widespread, relentless and unforgiving," adding "President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and we aim to support them as they recover."

In June 2019, more than $3 billion was made available through a disaster relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump. In December 2019, Congress passed, and President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 that provides an additional $1.5 billion for the continuation of disaster assistance program delivery.

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