Agricultural Snowstorm Losses Must Be Reported to FSA within 30 Days to be Eligible for Federal Programs

 The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has received reports of significant damage to agricultural buildings across the state as a result of recent snowstorms and excessive snow loads.

As of February 9th, the agency has received word that over 300 agricultural structures on 99 farms have either totally or partially collapsed.  The department continues to tally losses to buildings, equipment, and supplies, as well as the significant loss of livestock resulting from building collapses. 

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) may have programs available to assist those who have experienced agricultural losses. It is very important that everyone who has experienced a loss due to the weather this winter report their loss to FSA within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent to the producer.

Losses can include buildings, equipment, stored feed, livestock, seed, fertilizer, started plants, inventory, etc. With regard to livestock, FSA will require documentation such as ownership documentation, normal mortality rates, and the number and kind of livestock lost as a direct result of these winter storms.

Producers should track all costs including relocation, transporting feed, disposal, etc.Fact sheets can be found on FSA's website, http://www.fsa.usda.gov. Click on Newsroom then Fact Sheets.

In addition to FSA's requirements, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture is also tallying agricultural losses as part of the state's overall effort to account all agricultural losses associated with this winter's storms. This information is being provided to Governor Dannel P. Malloy in an effort to support requests for possible federal assistance.

In addition to reporting your loss to FSA, you can help the agency's efforts by also reporting your agricultural loss to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

To report your agricultural loss, please contact the commissioner's office at (860) 713-2500.

FSA can be contacted at the phone numbers below: 

Connecticut State FSA Office, 344 Merrow Road, Suite B, Tolland, CT 06084-3917. Telephone: (860) 871-4090, Fax: (860) 871-4099.

Marsha B. Jetté - State Executive Director Hartford-Tolland County FSA Office, 100 Northfield Drive, FL 4, Windsor, CT 06095-4730 Telephone: 860-688-7725, Fax: 860-688-0083.

www.CTGrown.gov

www.ct.gov/doag