Nebraska Recovery Roundup: Emergency Conservation Program helps producers recover from wildfire damage

Wildfires often leave behind more than burned grass and damaged forage. Fences may be destroyed, water facilities damaged, and debris scattered across agricultural land. The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps producers restore farmland damaged by natural disasters. 

ECP is administered through the Farm Service Agency and provides cost-share assistance for eligible rehabilitation efforts. Following a wildfire, eligible practices may include fence repair and replacement, debris removal, cleanup of damaged materials, repair or replacement of water facilities, shelterbelt rehabilitation, and other approved conservation restoration activities. 

ECP generally provides cost-share assistance rather than full reimbursement. Payment rates vary based on program provisions and producer eligibility categories.

Why records matter

Before beginning repairs or replacement, producers should consult with USDA staff whenever possible. In some situations, documentation and site inspections may be necessary before work begins. For example, subsurface work such as moving dirt or bulldozing dead trees will need an environmental assessment before beginning. Timeframes for completion of the assessment process will vary and must be determined on a project-by-project basis. So start this process early. 

Records may include photographs of damage, maps of affected areas, estimates and invoices, receipts for materials, contractor records, documentation of pre-disaster conditions, etc. While FSA no longer collects invoices or receipts as part of the ECP documentation process, these records could be important down the road if a producer becomes subject to a spotcheck. 

Limitations

While ECP payments are not limited by Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), they are capped at $500,000 per person or legal entity per disaster.  There can be an advance payment of up to 25% of expected cost-share for some practices. These provisions can affect the amount of assistance a producer may receive.

ECP vs. EQIP

While both the ECP and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can assist producers following a wildfire, they serve different purposes. EQIP, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to implement practices that address natural resource concerns and improve long-term resilience. In some cases, producers may be eligible for both programs, but federal rules generally prohibit receiving assistance from multiple programs for the same repair, expense or conservation practice. Producers should work closely with their local USDA Service Center to determine how these programs may complement one another during recovery. 

Work with your local USDA FSA office

Producers should also notify USDA FSA as soon as possible after discovering losses. Local FSA staff can help producers determine eligibility, identify required documentation, and complete necessary forms. Even if producers are uncertain whether losses qualify, scheduling a conversation with the local USDA Service Center is often the best first step. 

This Nebraska Recovery Roundup is brought to you by Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability to provide timely information for producers and communities recovering from wildfire. Each installment highlights available resources and practical steps to support recovery. Follow the series and find wildfire recovery resources on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.

-University of Nebraska-Lincoln