The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that farmers hit by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for a share of $16 billion in federal disaster relief.
The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, opened its first stage of applications for agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses and previously received assistance through crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
Pre-filled applications are being mailed to eligible producers, and in-person sign-ups have begun at Farm Service Agency county offices.
Stage Two of this program is expected to begin in early fall, although the USDA has announced no official date.
The USDA states that eligible losses “must be the result of natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024,” which will include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, and other related weather conditions.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins provided a statement about the relief and said, “American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed.”
Additionally, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed the relief, praising the work done by Rollins in a statement sent to The Dallas Express.
“This streamlined initiative, featuring pre-filled applications and immediate in-person support, is exactly what producers require after facing devastating droughts, wildfires, floods, and freezes over the past couple of years,” he wrote.
“Texas is no stranger to natural disasters, ranking first in both the number and cost of severe weather events each year. Unlike delays seen in the past under previous administrations, this rapid response demonstrates a genuine and ongoing commitment to rural America by the Trump administration. This is a helping hand, not a handout, and the strength of our food supply depends on it.”
To date, the USDA has distributed more than $7.8 billion through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and over $1 billion in emergency livestock relief for drought and wildfire losses in 2023 and 2024.