Donny Green, County Executive Director of the DeKalb County Farm Service Agency, announces that due to the extreme drought situation that has been ongoing since January 1, 2007, DeKalb County FSA has been authorized to implement the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Green stresses, “although we have been authorized to accept applications for cost-share assistance, there is no guarantee that funding will become available. However, if you would like to be considered for cost-share approval, you should immediately complete an application for ECP cost-share assistance in hopes of anticipated program funding.
DeKalb County’s ECP signup period will begin October 15 and will continue through 4:30 p.m. on November 4, 2007. This program will provide a maximum of 50% cost share if funding becomes available. Applicants must incur at least $1,000 in cost before cost-share can be approved. Eligible expenses for cost-share under this program include: installing pipelines to another water source, water storage facilities, including above ground tanks and troughs, constructing or deepening wells, permanently installed submersible pumps of adequate size to address livestock water needs, solar panels to provide pump power, contractor costs for hauling water to livestock, portable or permanent holding/storage tanks, truck rental for delivering water to livestock, personal or hired labor for delivering livestock water, and pipelines for livestock watering facilities. All expenses must be documented and must be limited to direct costs incurred as a result of the drought and beyond the normal operation of the farm.
Livestock producers who wish to apply for USDA cost-share assistance should immediately visit the DeKalb County Farm Service Agency office to file an application. Green reminds all applicants that, although his office is accepting the requests, this does not imply that cost share assistance will be made available. If funds become available, the applications processed will receive funding if all eligibility requirements are met. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. on November 4, 2007 will not be approved.
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