Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations.
The program, known as the 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program, or 2017 WHIP, was authorized by Congress earlier this year by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.
Through the authorization, USDA has made available $2 billion in disaster funding for eligible farms.
Secretary Perdue says the objective of the funding is to “get relief funds into the hands of eligible producers as quickly as possible.”
Signup is underway and will continue through November 16, 2018.
Additional payments will be issued, if funds remain available, later in the year.
Producers who may be eligible are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.
