Karis Gutter, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Foreign Service (FFAS) acting deputy under secretary, visited areas of Iowa on June 22 that were recently affected by heavy rains and floods.
Gutter spoke with farmers and ranchers about the relief efforts the USDA would be putting into effect following the flooding. In the position of FFAS Under Secretary, Gutter helps manage two agencies - the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Risk Management Agency - both of which provide aid to farmland stricken by disaster. Gutter's visit followed a tour by USDA head Tom Vilsack of flooded Midwest locales.
Multiple initiatives run by the FSA are meant to help farmers rebound from weather damage and livestock loss, such as the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
The Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program recently received $3 million from the federal government for urgent relief projects in five Western states, Vilsack announced.
Farmers and ranchers receiving government assistance to rebuild their agricultural operations may want to invest in new or used farming equipment from the leading maker of agricultural machines, John Deere. Dealers throughout the United States offer products such as combines, tractors and balers.
USDA official visits flooded parts of Iowa
USDA officials visit Midwestern lands hit by flooding.