Natural disasters are often devastating, resulting in the loss of lives, livelihoods, and homes. The agricultural sector is especially vulnerable to natural disasters. However, support programs are in place to provide assistance should farmers need it in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that the Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover. Assistance also is available when land planted specifically for grazing has been affected by drought or fire.

The Livestock Indemnity Program provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government.

The Emergency Loan Program provides loans to producers as they seek to recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding and other natural disasters. Loans also may be available after losses due to quarantine or by animal quarantine laws imposed in accordance with the Plant Protection Act.

The Emergency Conservation Program helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters. The program also helps put in place water conservation methods during severe drought.

The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program pays covered producers of uninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

More information about these and other programs can be found at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.