Record rainfall, flooding and wind damage are punishing farmers across the Midwest, with fields and livestock under standing water. For some family farmers and ranchers already teetering on the edge from low prices and an ongoing trade war, this latest disaster is the last thing they need.
If you’ve been impacted by this recent disaster, there are a number of national and state assistance programs that can provide support. Please look through the list below, expertly curated by the National Farmers Union, whose Farm Crisis Center is a good starting point.
Please also take a look at our Resource Guide for Disaster Assistance, which covers everything from who to contact, to what to document if you’ve been impacted by a disaster.
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota
- USDA has published information Prevented or Delayed Planting Coverage and Cover Crops including important information and deadlines to receive NRCS EQIP funds.
Nebraska
- Farm Rescue is offering hay hauling assistance to ranchers.
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of state and federal resources available to farmers.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau has established a disaster relief fund for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
- Nebraska Farm Service Agency provides links to state and county resources.
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has more information about flood preparedness and safety.
- Nebraska Rural Response Hotline can connect farmers and ranchers with mental health professionals and legal advice – 1-800-464-0258
Iowa
- Iowa State University Extension provides a number of free resources for farm stress management.
- Iowa Concern Hotline [PDF] offers free assistance 24/7 for stress, crisis, legal education, and financial concerns – 800-447-1985
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides expertise, resources and assistance during natural disasters.
- Hay Net and Grazing Net helps connect farmers who either need hay or have hay available, or need grain land or have grazing land available.
- Iowa.Gov details guidelines and resources for disaster assistance resources offered by the state.
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a number of programs and resources to assist farmers affected by natural disasters.
Missouri
- Missouri Agriculture Flood Resources provides additional information about USDA programs that offer assistance to farmers and ranchers.
- Recovery.MO.gov is a database of statewide emergency resources.
- MU Extension provides information about flood preparedness and response.
Wisconsin
- The Wisconsin Farm Center provides information and support to farmers and their families. Their toll-free hotline is 1-800-942-2474
- Harvest of Hope provides financial assistance to Wisconsin farmers experiencing difficulties due to natural disasters or other crises.
- UW Extension provides resources to plan for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
- The Small Business Administration’s Drought Disaster Assistance helps provide disaster loans to small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and some private non-profits affected by drought.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection provides resources on flood preparedness and recovery. - ReadyWisconsin offers educational resources on emergency preparedness and response.
Kansas
- Kansas Department of Agriculture offers emergency management educational resources and training.
- Kansas Department of House and Urban Development has compiled disaster relief and emergency assistance resources.
South Dakota
- Avera Behavioral Health Hotline provides 24-hour mental health counseling at 1-800-691-4336.
- South Dakota State University Extension has compiled informational resources for flood recovery.
Minnesota
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers a disaster recovery loan program.
- University of Minnesota Extension advises how to safely handle damaged agricultural buildings.
- Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. 833-600-2670.
- Ted Matthews [PDF] is a rural mental health counselor who works with farmers across the state at no cost to them. 320-266-2390.
- Mobile Crisis Team responds quickly and provide in-person, short-term counseling or mental health services during a crisis or emergency.
- Crisis Text Line offers immediate free and confidential support for people in distress. Text MN to 741741.
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety has compiled disaster assistance resources for farmers.
Illinois
- Illinois Department of Agriculture has information on Prevented Planting/Cover Crop Incentive Programs available to farmers across the state.
- County Emergency Management Contacts and Flood and Disaster Preparation and Updates are available through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
- Illinois Department of Human Services offers contacts for crisis/emergency mental health care partners and providers across the state that may be covered by insurance, Medicaid, or privately through DHS’ Department of Mental Health.
Ohio
- Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service released information on what do to if you haven’t been able to plant your cash crop.
- Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness shared health and safety concerns associated with flooding.
- Ohio Farm Bureau put out a podcast to discuss The Impact of Prevent Plant featuring Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ty Higgins and Jimmy Stickley visit with Dr. Carl Zulauf, professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics with Ohio State University.
Arkansas
- Arkansas Department of Agriculture collected Disaster Assistance Information & Resources that are available to farmers.
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service shared extensive resources that cover both emergency preparedness and recovery.
- Souther Extension Risk Management Education Center can give farmers and ranchers the tools to improve their risk management skills and capabilities.
- Arkansas Department of Health provides resources on flood water safety.
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources released “What You Need to Know about Flooding Preparedness and Recovery”
Navigating Disaster Assistance for Farmers
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