CFSA has compiled this collection of resources to help farmers monitor conditions, access assistance programs, and implement drought mitigation strategies.
Federal Support Programs:
USDA Drought Recovery Programs Landing Page
- Information about a variety of Disaster Recovery programs, how to report losses, options for crop insurance to protect from future losses, and a link to the US Drought Monitor.
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
- This program can provide financial relief by helping offset the cost of lost grazing and the need to purchase supplemental feed. The program is specifically designed for livestock producers whose pasture or grazing land has been affected by qualifying drought conditions. LFP provides direct payments to farmers based on: drought severity in each county, duration of drought severity, head of livestock.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program
- Provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish. It covers losses due to an eligible adverse weather event or loss condition as well as expenses associated with transportation of water and feed to livestock.
Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program
- The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provide financial and technical assistance to restore conservation practices like fencing, damaged farmland or forests. ECP can also help put in place practices for water conservation during severe drought.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices. Common practices to help recover from drought include forest management plans, tree/shrub establishment, brush management, prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting, wildlife habitat, livestock watering systems and cover crops.
NOP Temporary Variance Process (7 CFR § 205.290)
- For Certified Organic operations, federal organic regulations allow the NOP Administrator to grant temporary variances from certain production and handling requirements under specific circumstances, including natural disasters declared by the Secretary of Agriculture and damage caused by extreme weather, including drought. Variance requests must be submitted to certifying agents, who then send a written recommendation to the NOP Administrator.
North Carolina-Specific Resources:
- NC Disaster Information Center Drought Resources Hub
- Agricultural Drought Resources
- North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council
- Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP)
- NC Hay Finder
- North Carolina | Drought.gov
South Carolina-Specific Resources:
- South Carolina Drought Portal
- South Carolina Drought Response Committee
- How Trees Work and the Impacts of Drought on South Carolina Trees
- South Carolina | Drought.gov
General Resources:
- Drought | Home & Garden Information Center
- Drought Impact Survey: Pasture and Hay Shortage
- Drought Planning & Preparedness — CISA Projects
- Five Soil Health Management Priorities for Producers in the Southeast US
- Impacts of Drought on Vegetable Production and Potential Solutions
- Tools | Drought Impacts Toolkit – National Drought Mitigation Center
- Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Preparing for Disaster and Finding Disaster Assistance for your Farm or Ranch
- Managing Extreme Drought: Critical Strategies for Livestock Producers
