Disaster relief for Iowa farmers available

Agriculture-focused recovery center programs will continue through August to assist Iowa farm families hit hard by flooding, tornadoes or other storm-related events during the past few months.

The one-day events are bringing state, federal and local agencies together with farm groups to aid Iowans in their recovery from storm damage.

The walk-through project, designed as a resource fair, provides information on addressing agricultural needs not covered by standard programs offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or State of Iowa. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa Insurance Division, Small Business Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and FEMA Disaster Service Assistance have gathered to ensure unmet needs are identified and resources shared with the ag community.

Events have been held in Pottawattamie, Union and Polk counties, with additional one-day events scheduled through August, particularly in northwest Iowa, where devastating flooding has left farm fields covered in water and ag buildings destroyed.

FEMA's Jessica Pugh oversees the ag recovery center events and said as of July 2, 18 families have been assisted in Iowa. She said she hopes that as farm families realize the extent of their storm damage and discover assistance is available, more will reach out and participate.

"We're working with a segment of the population that doesn't necessarily want our help … They don't think they need it and can handle it themselves," Pugh explained. "But we're here to serve farmers …, bringing together 10 to 11 different state, federal and local agencies that can offer assistance.

"So even if you don't think you're going to need it or use it, I would highly recommend filling out an application just in case."

There are resources available to assist with food security, small business loans and unemployment services as well as behavioral health aid, agricultural grants and navigating insurance paperwork.

Pugh said it's also important to hear from farmers about damages that don't qualify for assistance so that gaps in service can be identified and addressed. She mentioned a 600-head hog confinement that had its air circulation system cut during a power outage but no programs currently aid in that type of situation. "We're still not hitting everything," Pugh said. "So we are keeping a running list of those gaps where situations may fall through the cracks."

Watch for further announcements regarding upcoming agricultural recovery centers. Visit www.disasterrecovery.iowa.gov for further information. Download the Iowa Disaster Agricultural Resource Guide at www.iowa.gov/resources-0/agricultural-resources. ;

Farm interest program

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last week the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program, which provides financial assistance to farmers and other agricultural asset owners who are recovering from property damage and losses caused by disaster events.

The program reimburses one year of interest paid on eligible loans taken out by farmers to rebuild or repair storm damage in counties designated by the federal government as a primary disaster area.

Visit iowagrants.gov to apply.

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