USDA Announces Over $3 Billion in Emergency Relief for 2022 Natural Disaster Impact on Agricultural Producers

Eligible producers can now apply for assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022, designed to alleviate the financial repercussions of crop yield and value losses resulting from qualifying disasters this year.

According to Zach Ducheneaux, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, the ERP 2022 has been refined to enhance efficiency and ensure equitable program delivery. Instead of two separate phases, the program will now operate two tracks concurrently, streamlining the application and payment processing. Ducheneaux emphasizes the cumulative impact of consecutive years of weather-related challenges on family farms and ranches and highlights the USDA's commitment to improving emergency relief assistance delivery.

The Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, signed into law by President Biden, allocates approximately $3.7 billion in financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by eligible natural disasters in 2022.

ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines caused by various natural disaster events, including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze, smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.