Farmers who have experienced losses in crops, trees, and grape production due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can apply for aid through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) starting immediately.

The pre-filled applications were mailed out on July 9th. Farmers can submit the FSA-526, Supplementary Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage 1 Application beginning July 10th at their local County Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.

Payments will cover 35% of the estimated eligible losses.

Monica Carroll, Alabama FSA’s executive director, noted that this assistance comes at a crucial time for the agricultural community.

“We are eager to provide this support to producers as quickly as possible,” Carroll remarked. “Our farmers are experiencing their toughest economic challenges since the 1980s, and the disasters have worsened their financial situations. We appreciate President Trump’s commitment to rural communities and the economy.”

Producers who qualify have received support through crop insurance or the uninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in the last two years. The relevant disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, severe heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freezing conditions, smoke damage, excessive moisture, and eligible droughts.

To qualify for drought-related assistance, losses must be recorded in counties identified by US drought monitors as experiencing D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or D3 (extreme drought) during the applicable year.

Farmers receiving SDRP payments are required to purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two years, with coverage levels of 60% or greater. Failure to do so will necessitate the repayment of SDRP payments along with interest to the USDA.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins announced this initiative during an event with state presidents of the US Farm Bureau Federation, including Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“American farmers aren’t accustomed to weather-related disasters that devastate their crops,” Rollins stated. “Under President Trump’s guidance, the USDA has worked continuously to ensure this relief reaches farmers directly. We are acting swiftly to ensure they have the resources necessary to continue providing safe and reliable food supplies.”

If funds allow, the FSA will inform farmers about Stage 2 SDRP support for shallow or found losses later this fall.