Cape Girardeau County approved for aid for farmland repairs from flooding

Because of excessive rainfall and flooding in December and January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Cape Girardeau County to implement the Emergency Conservation Program, according to a news release from Terry Birk, county director of the USDA’s Farm Services Agency.

According to the Farm Services Agency website, the Emergency Conservation Program assists farmers and ranchers with farmland repair caused by natural disasters.

Farmers must have more than $1,000 of damage to qualify for assistance, which can help with debris removal, sand removal, reshaping of scoured areas and damage to fences and conservation structures. The removal of silt from ditches is not eligible for assistance, according to the release.

Funding for the program has not been approved at this time.

Farmers with land that sustained damage have until March 31 to apply at the Farm Service Agency in Jackson.

Pertinent address:

480 W. Jackson Trail, Jackson, Mo.