Galen Scott
gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com
When fires burn out of control the threat to public safety is at the forefront of most minds, but farmers and ranchers also worry about what a wildfire does to the land.
In an attempt to soften the potentially devastating impact of range fires, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are ramping up a variety of assistance measures.
Agricultural property owners who lost boundary fences could benefit from the FSA’s Environmental Conservation Program. Additionally, producers who purchased insurance through the agency’s Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program may be eligible for fire losses on pasture or cropland.
Landowners can apply for financial assistance from the NRCS for range deferment, and for cross fencing financial assistance.
Assistant Parker County Fire Marshal Joe Washburn agreed the programs could provide a benefit to some Parker County landowners.
“Wooden fence posts burn, and sometimes, fire fighters have to cut the fences,” he said. “They try to fix them as best they can, but if there is assistance available it would certainly help some people.”
The NRCS will also provide technical expertise to reduce post-fire damage and aid in the rehabilitation process. Part of the NRCS effort includes something District Conservationist William Donham calls “prescribed grazing by deferment.”
“Essentially, the government is offering to lease their land for a year and let it grow back,” Donham explained. “That would allow time for the grass to regenerate from the root stock.”
In light of ongoing drought, producers in affected counties are also eligible to apply for low-interest loans through the FSA. Such loans are designed to help rebuild outbuildings, farm structures, farm homes and fences.
Debra Sanderson, district director for FSA, is encouraging affected producers to visit with their insurance representatives as quickly as possible.
“For what insurance doesn’t cover, we may have programs that we can assist them with financially,” she added.
Producers in Parker County interested in learning more about FSA and NRCS programs can call (817) 594-4672.
Local News
Related Photos
April 16, 2009
Financial aid for rangeland, fence destroyed by fire
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