The U.S. Department of Agriculture is stepping in to assist farmers, ranchers and communities in Mississippi that were affected by a March 25 tornado.
The USDA offers risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover from disasters, according to a March 27 news release.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost loved ones in the terrible tornadoes in Mississippi and with the communities who must rebuild their homes and businesses,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “Alongside our federal partners, USDA is ready to provide assistance to those impacted by these storms.”
The release shared advice from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service on ways to reduce the risk of foodborne illness after severe weather. FSIS recommends discarding perishable food items being stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If they've been kept at unsafe temperatures for more than four hours for refrigerated items or 48 hours for frozen items, it is advised to throw the affected food away.
The Federal Crop Insurance Program and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provide tools for producers to manage their risk before disasters occur, according to the release. Producers who suffer losses and are signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or NAP should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office within 72 hours of discovering damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.
Producers who have not applied for NAP coverage may still be covered, the release said.
Livestock and perennial crop producers often have limited risk management options available, the release reported. Key programs offered by FSA include the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program, the Tree Assistance Program and the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
Producers should keep accurate records to document damage or loss and to report losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible, the release said.
