Maine farmers to receive drought relief funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two federal programs will provide drought relief and conservation funds to Maine’s farmers, with some dairy and beef farmers receiving tens of thousands of dollars to compensate for drought expenses and losses experienced over the past two years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Compensation Program “will affect every livestock producer in 15 of Maine’s 16 counties,” said Brent Mullis of Bangor’s Farm Service Agency. An average dairy farm of 100 head of cows could qualify for $3,150 in relief.

The program is based on reimbursement of drought-related expenses to producers in all counties except Franklin. It provides a cash payment of up to $31.50 per head for anyone with cows, sheep, goats or cattle, said Mullis.

“I have one neighbor [with a large dairy herd] that will get a $15,000 check,” he said. “This program affects Maine quite a bit.”

Mullis said there is no minimum number of animals that a producer must have to qualify for the program, which is based on Maine’s being qualified for drought assistance. “This is part of a pool of money that [U.S. Secretary of Agriculture] Anne Venemen can use at her discretion,” said Mullis. Venemen released $752 million to be used nationwide.

The funds will help farmers buy winter feed or pay bills that have piled up with the combination of dry weather and low milk prices.

FSA will make payments for each eligible head of livestock owned for a minimum of 90 calendar days as long as June 1, 2002, is included in that time period. Livestock meeting that requirement, including animals that have been sold or died since, will qualify for payment.

LCP information can be obtained at county FSA agencies.

The Conservation Reserve Program, one of an array of programs packed into the national 2002 Farm Bill, will continue an existing program that provides substantial benefits to Maine’s farmers.

The $1.2 million earmarked under the CRP will result in the conservation of more than 24,250 acres of the state’s farmland, most located in Aroostook County. In all, 563 farms will enter into 842 conservation contracts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will result in average payments to farmers of $4,445 annually.

The CRP permits producers to voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive cropland for 10 to 15 years, a program that will give the land a rest, time to heal from erosion and other environmental damage, and will help offset encroachment by sprawl. In return, the USDA makes annual rental payments to producers and shares the cost of establishing approved conservation practices.

In announcing the CRP payments this week, Farm Bill proponent U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said, “This funding is absolutely crucial to Maine because it gives farmers throughout the state the resources and advice they need to conserve their land, preventing erosion and protecting crucial fish and wildlife habitats.”

Land enrolled in the program either must be highly erodable, must contribute to a serious water quality problem, must provide important wildlife habitat or must provide substantial environmental benefits if devoted to conservation.

For additional information, farmers may contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services office at 990-9100.