Contacts:
Rachel Cadieux, Program Spec. FSA, (802) 658-2803 x300
Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Harvey Smith, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Vermont today announced Disaster Programs are available for Vermont producers. Although the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) will have very limited availability in Vermont due to the requirements, producers may qualify for assistance from the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and the Crop Disaster Program (CDP).

LCP for Vermont requires that producers suffered quantity or quality losses in pastures during 2006 or were required to purchase extra feed during 2006, due to losses in feed normally produced for livestock. Although sign-up officially started September 10th for this program, there is no sign-up deadline yet. Documentation requirements are being determined and will be announced by local FSA offices when available.

CDP for Vermont requires that producers had a 35% loss in crop production quantity and/or a 25% loss in crop production quality during one of the program years (2005, 2006, or 2007). To be eligible for CDP, producers must have had crop insurance and/or NAP coverage for the year of the disaster. No linkage option to purchase it for two subsequent years is available as in past disaster programs. Sign-up begins October 15th and ends on a date to be announced for the quantity portion of the program. Sign-up will begin on a later date for the quality portion.

Payments for these programs will not be made until the Federal Register is published for these regulations.

Producers with questions concerning these programs may contact their local FSA office or contact Rachel Cadieux, Program Spec.at 802-658-2803, X300 or rachel.cadieux@vt.usda.gov