Relief Includes Emergency Loans And Conservation Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending disaster relief to agricultural producers across New Mexico after severe flooding and wildfires caused widespread losses. Financial aid, conservation programs, and emergency loans are now available.
“USDA has a suite of programs to support farmers and ranchers as they recover from disasters,” said Farm Production and Conservation Deputy Under Secretary Brooke Appleton. “I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.”
Livestock producers may qualify for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) if they experience abnormal deaths or must sell injured livestock at reduced prices. Applications must be filed by March 2, 2026, for 2025 losses.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) compensates for feed and grazing losses with the same deadline.
The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offers cost-share funding to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes, and vines within 90 days of the disaster event or when losses become visible.
“Impacted producers should timely report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses to their local FSA county office as soon as they can do so safely,” said Zach Riley, FSA State Executive Director.
Low-interest emergency loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans are available to replace equipment, repair infrastructure, purchase inputs, or refinance farm-related debt. Producers with Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage or Federal Crop Insurance should report damage promptly.
Conservation efforts include the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to restore farmland and forests, remove debris, and repair fencing.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also supports recovery through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) for streambank stabilization and watershed projects.
NRCS State Conservationist J. Xavier Montoya stated, “Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop approaches that focus on effective recovery of the land.”
These programs provide essential financial and technical tools to help New Mexico’s agriculture sector recover and build resilience against future disasters.