There's flood relief available for local farmers.
The catch is, as overwhelming as the paperwork may seem, they have to apply.
That's the message Cooperative Extension Ag Program Leader David Cox and others are trying to get out.
In an effort begun by Assemblyman Pete Lopez's office with help from CCE, Soil & Water, and County Planning, a list of resources especially geared to farmers has been compiled. (See below.)
"I think there was concern from day one that people weren't signing up for some of this help," Mr. Cox said, "and we're afraid that they're falling through the cracks. We're just trying to get the word out there."
Mr. Cox said he's heard second- or third-hand that farmers struggling to recover from Irene and keep their businesses running are overwhelmed by amount of paperwork involved in some of the applications.
"I sympathize," he said. "I can't begin to imagine what these people are going through. But we're still stressing the importance of applying or at least researching some of these options.
"They may be surprised. They have to start somewhere and they won't get anything if they don't apply."
Mr. Cox also pointed out that many of the flood relief programs require the same paperwork; once a farmer has the necessary information compiled, the task becomes easier, he said.

• • •

Farmers affected by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee should research each of the following agencies for assistance.
• FEMA: 1-800-621-3362, www.fema.gov.
• USDA Farm Service Agency: Report Crop and Livestock Loss. Also: Emergency Conservation Program for agricultural producers (ECP) - Shares cost of rehabilitating eligible farmlands damaged by natural disaster w/agricultural producers.
To qualify, farmer or rancher must own or control farmland that needs to be rehabilitated due to damage from natural disasters or needs emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. 295-8600 or offices in New York State at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/.
• USDA Rural Development: 1 percent interest loans for very low income single family owner occupied residential repairs. Grants available for farmers over 62. 295-8600.
• NYS HCR and Ag & Markets: NYS Agricultural Commodity Recovery Fund (ACRF). Farm Operation Match Component (1:1).
Provides emergency funding to help with on-farm operating costs incurred from damage by natural disasters. Farm operations that raise or grow the following are eligible to apply: Livestock (including dairy), fruits, vegetables, bedding plants, nursery and flowers.
For application or information contact Steve McGrattan, Department of Ag & Markets at 457-7836 or Steve.McGrattan@agriculture.ny.gov. Applications must be received by 4pm, November 7.
• NY Extension Disaster Emergency Network (NY EDEN)-http://emergencypreparedness.cce.cornell.edu/Pages/default.aspx.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Forage Exchange-http://ccetest-lamp.cit.cornell.edu/forage/-1-New-York/.
• NY FarmNet: Financial Analysis, Farm Business Planning. (800) 547-3276.
• NY Farm Bureau: Information on donated feed and forage. Bambi Baehrel, senior field advisor, ag donations coordinator, 634-7852.
• Modest Needs: Apply for assistance at www.modestneeds.org/intro.
• Schoharie County Community Action Program (SCCAP): Financial assistance through funds designated for Schoharie County Farmers; while funds last. 234-2568
• Regional Farm & Food Project: Irene Farmer Relief Fund-Financial assistance for winter feed expenses, repairing fence and equipment, fuel bills. www.farmiemarket.com for application online or print and mail.
Applications also available at USDA Farm Service Agency, Schoharie.
• National Grid: Emergency Agriculture Fund-Emergency grants up to $25,000 to farmers in National Grid service area for repair and replacement of electric infrastructure and equipment necessary for the operation of the farm including pumps, lighting, ventilation, heating and cooling. www.nationalgridus.com, click on 'Upstate NY' (under Electricity). (315) 428-6061.
• Catskill Watershed Coalition (CWC): Fund for the Future-Grants available to farmers in Catskill-Delaware NYC Watershed. (877) 928-7433 or (845) 586-1400 or www.cwconline.org.
• Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR): According to DHCR, most assistance will be loans.
However, Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs grant funding will be reallocated to distressed communities. All housing assistance requests must go through Disaster Intake Form: https://www1.dhcr.state.ny.us/DisasterRecovery/default.aspx). Arnon Adler, 486-5012.
• Schoharie Recovery Fund: Rebuilding homes, businesses, lives in Schoharie, Gallupville, Central Bridge and Esperance. Immediate help with exterior and interior cleanup. 390-8826 or schoharierecovery.org.