Across Oregon, farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners are facing the devastating effects of catastrophic wildfire and persistent drought. Some are rebuilding miles of fence. Others are finding forage and water for livestock, caring for injured animals, assessing losses or beginning the long work of restoring grazing and nonindustrial private forestland. Recovery takes time, and we know many of you are still focused on the most immediate priorities: your families, neighbors, homes, livestock, land and communities. Tootie Smith, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency in Oregon released the following information:
As you do that important work, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants you to remember two things: You have time to apply for assistance, but you need to document your losses now. And whether you’re a longtime customer or you have never worked with FSA before, we’re just a phone call away and ready to assist.
For some livestock disaster assistance programs, producers have a long runway to apply, with deadlines extending to March 1, 2027, for 2026 losses. That time matters because drought and wildfire continue to affect an operation long after the immediate disaster passes. But having time to apply does not mean you should wait to document your losses.
What you document today may make a critical difference when you apply for assistance tomorrow or several months from now. Take photographs and video of damaged fences, grazing land, livestock losses, water systems, feed
supplies and other losses as soon as you can safely do so. Keep receipts and invoices. Maintain livestock inventory records. Record livestock deaths and injuries and keep documentation of feed purchases, transportation expenses and other disaster-related expenses. Whenever possible, document damage before conditions change and before you clean up, make repairs or dispose of damaged property.
Most importantly, do not wait until you are ready to file an application to contact us. Call or visit your local FSA office now. Our staff can explain what records you need to keep and what steps you need to take. Some programs require FSA to inspect damage, complete an environmental review or approve restoration work before you begin. Talking with us early can help protect your eligibility for assistance.
FSA offers programs that may help with livestock and grazing losses, additional feed and water costs, damaged agricultural land and infrastructure, and restoration of eligible nonindustrial private forestland. But you do not need to know or memorize the names of our programs or understand every eligibility requirement before you call us. That’s our job. You just need to know that the first step to accessing recovery assistance is letting us know you have suffered a loss.
If you have never done business with FSA, please come see us. If you do not have a farm number, do not know which documents you need or have never walked into a USDA Service Center, we will walk you through the process. We will help you understand what assistance may apply to your situation, what information we need and what comes next.
Oregon’s FSA employees are more than the people behind the counter at your local USDA Service Center. We are your friends and neighbors. We live and work in these communities, too. We see what drought and wildfire are doing to the people we know and care about and places we call home. We know that behind the livestock losses, damaged fence and burned acre is a family farm or ranch trying to move forward.
We hurt alongside our communities when disaster strikes, and we stand ready to help you recover.
The road to recovery is long, but you do not have to navigate it alone. For more USDA disaster recovery assistance information visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery and to find your local FSA county office, visit fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator.
Document your losses. Keep your records. Contact FSA. Let us help you take the next step.
Resource Note: Natural disasters events take an emotional toll, too. If you your or someone you know is struggling, the AgriStress HelpLine is a free, 24/7 hotline for Oregon’s agricultural and forestry communities, including farmers, ranchers, fishermen, foresters, and their families. Call or text: (833) 897-2474. Helpline operators are trained to understand the unique stressors and situations of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. All calls are answered within 30 seconds. For urgent crises unrelated specifically to farming, individuals are also encouraged to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat via 988lifeline.org.
