Farmers who have been impacted by extreme weather patterns will see relief thanks to funding that was included in the continuing resolution that passed Congress this week.
"Farmers will be pleased with this development,” said NCGA President Chris Edgington. "The funding will be extremely helpful to our members who have struggled with adverse weather conditions in recent years."
The bill provides $10 billion to continue the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus, or WHIP+, for the losses in 2020 and 2021. It requires that recipients of that assistance purchase crop insurance or Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage for the two following crop years.
Assistance will be available for losses caused by droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze, polar vortexes, smoke exposure, quality losses of crops and excessive moisture in 2020 and 2021.
The Secretary of Agriculture will be required to submit a report to Congress within 120 days of the end of FY 2022 specifying the type, amount and methods of assistance by state and territory.
