We are sharing the following information provided by Tommy Higgins, State Executive Director, Maine Farm Service Agency.
As of Thursday, September 18, six counties in Maine are now classified as D3 (Extreme Drought): Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin, Somerset, and Oxford. In addition, our coastal counties stretching from Washington to Lincoln have remained in D2 (Severe Drought) for five consecutive weeks.
Any period at D3 triggers multiple federal programs, including:
Livestock Forage Program (LFP): Provides payments to livestock producers for grazing losses. D2 status triggers one month of payments; D3 triggers three months.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Cost share (up to 75%) to provide emergency water for grazing/confined livestock and existing orchards/vineyards. Eligible practices include pipeline installation, well construction, and spring/seep development.
Emergency Farm Loans (EM Loans): Triggered by Secretarial Disaster Designations, offering low-interest loans to restore/reorganize operations, cover production costs, or refinance certain debts.
Additional Programs:
Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): Producers must notify their county FSA office of losses within 15 days of a natural disaster, or within 72 hours for certain hand-harvested and perishable crops. A completed Notice of Loss (CCC-576) is required.
Review the Federal Assistance Programs detailed and hyperlinked above.
Plan Ahead
Consider applying to DACF’s Farmer Drought Relief Program (next round expected in late 2025) for long-term investments in water management and irrigation.
Contact the DACF or your local FSA office with any questions
Emily Horton: Director of Policy & Community Engagement Tom Gordon: Soil & Water Conservation Program Coordinator