USDA Provides Emergency Conservation Funds to Help Oklahoma Farmers Recover from Wildfires

USDA Provides Emergency Conservation Funds to Help Oklahoma Farmers Recover from Wildfires

April 16, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening a special disaster sign-up for $1 million in additional funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Programfor producers in Oklahoma who have been impacted by recent wildfires. Producers must submit applications to USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by May 10, 2024, to be considered for this funding opportunity. Affected counties are Ellis, Roger Mills, Beaver, Harper, Dewey, Woods and Texas.

"The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma is prepared to assist landowners with their efforts to address resource concerns caused by the recent wildfires," said Jeanne Hamilton, NRCS State Conservationist in Oklahoma. "Loss of vegetation not only affects forages for livestock and wildlife habitat, but it can lead to increased soil loss due to erosion from wind and water. We know many of our Oklahoma producers were hit hard by this disaster and we are here to help."

Assistance includes practices aimed at replacing damaged infrastructure such as fencing and water resources, as well as management and recovery of affected lands. Eligible practices for the wildfire disaster funding include:

• Critical Area Planting
• Fence
• Groundwater Testing
• Heavy Use Area Protection
• Livestock Pipeline
• Prescribed Grazing
• Pumping Plant
• Watering Facility
• Water Well
• Well Decommissioning
• Woody Residue Treatment

For more information about applying for EQIP assistance or help with evaluating land to address concerns following the wildfire, landowners and managers should contact their local USDA Service Center.

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don't have an account, sign up today.