Producers who are eligible for assistance through ERP Phase One and haven't already applied; have until Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 to apply to their local USDA Service Center to receive benefits through the program.

Under the Phase One program, USDA used existing federal crop insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for establishing program benefits. To learn more about this assistance program and others, call or stop by the Barton County office or visit: Emergency Relief information page.

Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Producers in Barton County are eligible to apply for 2022 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits as of March 15, 2022 for small grain grazing and as of April 16, 2022 for native and improved pasture.

LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land.

You must complete an LFP application (CCC-853) and the required supporting documentation no later than January 30, 2023, for 2022 losses.

For additional information about LFP, including eligible livestock, contact the Barton County USDA Service Center at 620-792-5329 ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock (ELAP)

If you’ve incurred additional operating costs for transporting water to livestock, hauling feed and/or cattle due to an eligible drought, assistance may be available to you through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

The deadline to submit an application for payment and supporting documentation for 2022 ELAP assistance is January 30, 2023.

To sign up for ELAP and to learn more about eligibility, application and documentation requirements, contact Barton County USDA Service Center at 620-792-5329 ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov

Barton County U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that County Committee elections are over, and the ballots have been counted.

Kent Romine of Great Bend was elected to represent local administrative area (LAA) 3.

David Evers II of Great Bend will serve as the first alternate.