BIRMINGHAM – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) announced that farmers and ranchers in Bibb, Chilton, and St. Clair Counties can apply for special disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help restore drought-ravaged farmland.
The USDA has approved more than $6 million in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding for 19 states affected by natural disasters. Bibb, Chilton, and St. Clair are among 19 counties in Alabama that will receive $735,000 in assistance.
The ECP funding will help farmers and ranchers to remove debris, restore fences and conservation structures, provide water for livestock, and restore damaged farmland.
"As the drought persists, our farmers continue to need help. This assistance will also promote good conservation by putting parched farmland back to productive use again," said Bachus.
Eligible producers will receive cost-share assistance of up to 75% of the cost of the project. Producers can check with their local Farm Services Agency about sign-up periods.