San Miguel-Mora County Farm Service Agency is Accepting Emergency Conservation Program Applications

(Las Vegas, N.M.), December 08, 2022 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Linda Alcon today announced that San Miguel-Mora is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from flooding that occurred outside of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire perimeter. ECP signup began on November 4 and ends on January 9, 2023.

"We understand the extent of damage that flood conditions caused and encourage producers to call our office before they take any action," said Alcon. "Producers who are approved for cost-share assistance will have the cost of practices fully covered."

Approved ECP practices include removing debris from farmland, grading, shaping, releveling or similar measures, replacing or restoring permanent fences, and restoring conservation structures and other installation.

ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 100% of the cost of approved restoration activity not to exceed $500,000 per disaster event.

Producers must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. FSA's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process is required to be completed before any actions are taken. Submitting an application to FSA after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP assistance.

FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance.

For more information on ECP, please contact the San Miguel-Mora County FSA office at
505-425-3594 or visit farmers.gov/recover.