Wright County livestock and specialty crop producers can now apply for up to $7,500 per farm in reimbursement for expenses incurred during last year’s intense drought. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s 2021 Agricultural Drought Relief Program has $8.1 million in funding available for the program.
Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture and nursery crops. Eligible expenses for these farmers include water handling equipment, water hauling, wells, irrigation equipment, replacement plants/seeds/seedlings, additional hired labor and farmers’ market fees for canceled markets.
Eligible expenses for livestock farmers include water-related expenses, feed-related expenses, custom bailing, equipment rental, livestock transportation, livestock pond dredging, cover crop/pasture/forage replanting, fencing, grazing rights and additional hired labor.
The eligible loss period for incurred expenses had to take place from after June 1, 2021 to before May 23, 2022. If the total amount requested exceeds the total of funds available, all applications will be pro-rated.
To learn more about this program and how to apply, click here: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/droughtrelief