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Davis, CA, Feb. 5, 2014 – USDA California Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Val Dolcini announced Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) availability for multiple counties in California.  ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for implementing emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. The program’s initial focus will be to provide assistance to livestock producers with emergency water needs.  Interested producers can sign up between February 10 and March 27, 2014.  The counties eligible for ECP assistance related to drought include:

Dolcini encouraged farmers and ranchers impacted by California’s ongoing drought to contact their local USDA Service Center to seek information and assistance.  “2013 was one of the driest years in our history,” Dolcini said. “FSA is ready to help California’s farmers and ranchers who continue to be affected by this horrible drought.”

ECP is available to livestock producers with severe water shortages to assist where feasible with rehabilitation of spring developments, new or deepening of livestock wells, development of seeps, and pipeline, tanks, troughs and dugouts.  The program will also assist with water hauling costs to confined livestock.

Producers must submit their requests for ECP assistance to FSA prior to beginning construction work. Completing constructive work before submitting an ECP request could result in forfeiture of program eligibility.

ECP program participants can receive financial assistance for up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices.

For more information on ECP or other disaster assistance programs and loans, please contact your local county office or visit FSA online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/ca.

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