Published: July 09, 2008 10:38 am      

Farmers, ranchers with tornado damage can get federal assistance

More help is available for area residents in parts of Pittsburg and Latimer counties who suffered storm damage from the May 10 tornadoes — as long as they fit guidelines set out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency.

As a result of the tornadoes, the federal government has implemented the Emergency Conservation Program for parts of Pittsburg and Latimer counties.

“We’re getting the word out,” said Carl Patterson, executive director of the FSA office in McAlester.

Patterson said residents of the Arch, Bache and Haywood communities in Pittsburg County and the Yanish community in Latimer County who suffered damage to their land may qualify for assistance.

“To be eligible, you have to be an agriculture producer,” Patterson said. “They have to produce an agricultural commodity, such as growing crops, or livestock.”

Patterson said raising animals such as cattle, sheep or goats would qualify for raising livestock. Horses ordinarily would not qualify.

Those raising hay crops could be eligible, he said.

Two programs are in place — one to remove debris from farmland, which would include pasture land and land used to grow hay. That could include the removal of wood debris which fell on or was scattered over land normally used for hay or pasture land.

The other program is to restore permanent fences on agricultural land by rebuilding or repairing.

Also, the minimum cost for restoration must reach at least $1,000. In other words, if $500 worth of damage was done to agricultural fencing, then it would not qualify for the program.

The programs allows for those receiving ECP assistance to receive up to 75 percent of the cost of the work through a cost share program.

All cost shares for fencing will be prorated by the age of the fences, according to Patterson. Fences more than 30 years-old would not be eligible for cost share assistance.

The deadline to apply for the program is Aug. 15.

Patterson said those needing more information should call the FSA office at 423-4073 to set up an appointment to see if they qualify for the program.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.