Resources for Farms Impacted by Severe Weather
USDA Farm Services Agency
USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) has several emergency relief programs that can help with post-flood recovery. To qualify for this coverage:
Damage or losses that may be covered by various programs include the following
(this list is not exhaustive – please contact FSA for more information):
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
Emergency Farm Loans
Other Support
Suffering a loss due to a significant weather event is a frustrating, depleting experience.
Seeking emotional support is a necessary step in building resilience after a disaster.
Farm workers and owner/operators are eligible for up to six weeks of free or reduced therapy through WSU’s Therapy Voucher Program.
24/7 crisis support is available through the AgriStress Helpline by call or text at 833-832-2345.
Other supports include:
Have another resource we're not aware of? Email Hannah
USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) has several emergency relief programs that can help with post-flood recovery. To qualify for this coverage:
- Contact your local FSA office at the first sign of damage. Damage reports are needed to request funding for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), so please report early, even if you only have general information to share at this point. If your farm is not already registered with USDA, they can help start that process. Find Your Local USDA Service Center | Farmers.gov
- Document damage or losses with photos that are date stamped (phone cameras do this automatically).
Damage or losses that may be covered by various programs include the following
(this list is not exhaustive – please contact FSA for more information):
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
- Covered practices:
- Removing debris from farmland
- Grading, shaping, or leveling land
- Restoring permanent fences
- Restoring conservation structures
- Payment Rates: ECP provides cost-share assistance of up to 75% of the cost of approved conservation practices. Limited resource producers may be eligible for up to 90% cost-share.
- Do not begin restoration efforts for the above covered practices until after a contract is signed and approved and you are given the green light.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
- Covered Flood Losses
- Feed/forage losses including purchased or harvested feed stored on the farm, additional feed purchased, and additional cost of feed delivery
- Grazing losses due to flooding
- Honeybee hive, colony, and feed losses due to flood
- Payment Rates: Payments vary by the type of loss. Specific rates are detailed in program guidelines.
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
- Covered Losses
- Livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality
- Payment rates are based on the fair market value of the livestock. The 2025 rates are available here.
Emergency Farm Loans
- Emergency Farm Loans offer crucial financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters such as drought, flooding, storms, wildfires, earthquakes, and other declared disasters. These loans can be used to restore or replace essential property, cover production costs, pay essential family living expenses, and refinance certain debts. The aim is to help producers recover swiftly and maintain the viability of their operations during and after disaster recovery.
- Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who operate in a disaster-designated county and have experienced substantial damage or loss. Applicants must demonstrate an inability to obtain sufficient credit from other sources to cover their disaster-related needs.
- These will be announced within several months of disaster designations. Please contact FSA to learn more. We will include the announcement when they are available in the Regional Markets newsletter.
Other Support
Suffering a loss due to a significant weather event is a frustrating, depleting experience.
Seeking emotional support is a necessary step in building resilience after a disaster.
Farm workers and owner/operators are eligible for up to six weeks of free or reduced therapy through WSU’s Therapy Voucher Program.
24/7 crisis support is available through the AgriStress Helpline by call or text at 833-832-2345.
Other supports include:
Have another resource we're not aware of? Email Hannah
Resource Library
Select a subject area below for helpful resources including websites, publications, and videos. Resources are nested into our most common inquiry topics.
Tip: use your browser’s “find” or “search” function to search for a keyword of interest after opening a subject tab (usually Ctrl+F).
Getting Started
Tip: use your browser’s “find” or “search” function to search for a keyword of interest after opening a subject tab (usually Ctrl+F).
Getting Started
Farm & Agriculture
beginning Farmers
livestock & Pasture
Soil & Erosion
ORCHARD & AGROFORESTRY
Gardening & Outdoor Education
WEEDS & INVASIVE SPECIES
FOREST STEWARDSHIP
NATIVE PLANTS & HABITAT
STORMWATER, Rain gardens, & DRAINAGE
WETLANDS, Ponds, LAKES & STREAMS
BLUFF & SHORELINE
WATER UTILITIES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Wildfire
News & Publications
We're always working on ways to get the word out about conservation practices, resources, benefits, and services.
- The Whidbey Weekly's monthly Make a Difference column is a collaboration of our staff and partners on a wide variety of conservation topics
- Check out our video series on YouTube
- Our Historical Mapping Project digitized our library of historical aerial images from around the island
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Our office is open to the public
Tuesday & Thursday 9 am - 4 pm Office Location: 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, WA 98239
Office Phone: 360-678-4708 Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Coupeville, WA 98239 Email: wicd[at]whidbeycd.org |
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Next Monthly Board Meeting:
Thursday, January 22, 5:30-7:30 pm Agenda This regular meeting will be held held remotely via Zoom; you are welcome to come to the WICD office if you do not have zoom access. Please contact us for the Zoom link. The public is always welcome! Board Meeting Schedule Past Meeting Minutes & Agendas |
Whidbey Island Conservation District complies with the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.
To initiate a Public Records Request, contact our Public Records Officer, Michelle, or (360) 678-4708 x 1.
To initiate a Public Records Request, contact our Public Records Officer, Michelle, or (360) 678-4708 x 1.