The deadline to apply for a program that provides disaster payments to producers to offset losses from hurricanes, wildfires, and other qualifying natural disasters that occurred in the 2018 and 2019 calendar years is approaching.
The Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus, or WHIP+, application is due Oct. 30. WHIP+ covers losses of crops, trees, bushes, and vines that occurred as a result of those disaster events. It also includes new programs for both milk losses due to adverse weather conditions and losses to on-farm stored commodities.
Signup opened in September 2019, and in February 2020, USDA announced some expansions to the program funded through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. The expansions included assistance for losses due to excessive moisture and extreme or exceptional drought, sugar beet losses and quality losses. Signup opened March 23, 2020 for losses because of excessive moisture and drought. Sugar beet producers who are members of cooperatives and experienced losses should contact their cooperative for more information.
For more information, visit https://www.farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus or contact your local Farm Service Agency office.
