USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Oregon Impacted by Wildfires

$2M of Emergency Funding Available to Eastern Oregon

PORTLAND, ORE., August 2024 – – Agricultural operations in Eastern Oregon have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these wildfire events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from wildfire losses and damages.

New Funding Sign-Up Announced

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is always available to provide technical assistance during the recovery process by assisting producers to plan and implement conservation practices on farms and working forests impacted by natural disasters. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by recent wildfires.     

A total of $2 million of FY24 funds have newly been made available to support producers in wildfire recovery. Producers in the following counties may be eligible to apply: Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters. Eligible land includes rangeland, and non-industrial private forestland. Practices can include:

  • Minimizing noxious and invasive plant proliferation
  • Protecting water quality
  • Grazing deferment for degraded plant recovery
  • Range plantings to mitigate soil erosion

If you are an agricultural producer affected by a disaster, please contact your local NRCS office.