USDA programs offered to agriculture producers recently impacted by wildfire damage

Kerr County officials want to get the word out to any county agricultural producer who may have been recently impacted by wildfire damage that there are USDA programs being offered to assist in recovery efforts. 

The United States Department of Agriculture is also offering various programs that can aid in management guidance for future risks.

According to Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas it is crucial that safety is immediately addressed following a wildfire.  “The first thing to do is walk your property and look for safety issues along with property boundaries, roads and buildings,” Thomas said.

The USDA suggests checking to see if there is fire damage to trees within one tree height of a residence, other structures or access roads.  The USDA also points out that the risk of flash floods, debris and mud flows increases following a fire.

For additional information regarding wildfire recovery, assessing risks and protecting for future damage, along with relief programs being offered as part of the $6 billion Farm Service Agency’s new Emergency Relief Program, visit https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/wildfire, or contact a local FSA agent.