Flooding Overwhelms Farmers in Midwest
Late winter storms immediately followed by warm spring weather has caused record flooding in much of the Midwest, including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
The consequences have been catastrophic for family farmers and ranchers in the region; just in Nebraska, the cost to agriculture is estimated at $1 billion. These expenses are due in large part to crop loss, livestock deaths, and building damage. But even farmers who have been able to salvage their products face significant barriers to storing or selling them because entire portions of critical infrastructure—like roads and bridges—have been swept away in the floods.
There's no good time for this kind of natural disaster, but these floods are particularly poorly timed. Early spring a critical period for planting, and interruptions this time of year can delay harvest and ultimately reduce yields. The effects of this perfect storm are painfully palpable in farm country; the majority of farm households actually lost money farming last year.
The good news is that farmers who have been affected by flooding are not on their own—in addition to regular crop insurance programs, there are a number of national and state assistance programs in place to provide support during this challenging time. You can find an overview of USDA disaster assistance programs and other national resources at NFU's Farm Crisis webpage. It's important to note that participation in many of these programs requires documentation of losses—Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) provides advice for appropriately documenting losses.
There are also state-specific assistance resources. The following list is not exhaustive—if you have questions, please contact National Farmers Union's office.
Nebraska
- Farm Rescue is offering hay hauling assistance to ranchers.
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of state and federal resources available to farmers.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau has established a disaster relief fund for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
- Nebraska Farm Service Agency provides links to state and county resources.
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has more information about flood preparedness and safety.
- Nebraska Rural Response Hotline can connect farmers and ranchers with mental health professionals and legal advice: (800) 464-0258.
Iowa
- Iowa State University Extension provides a number of free resources for farm stress management.
- Iowa Concern Hotline offers free assistance 24/7 for stress, crisis, legal education, and financial concerns: (800) 447-1985.
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides expertise, resources and assistance during natural disasters.
- Hay Net and Grazing Net helps connect farmers who either need hay or have hay available, or need grain land or have grazing land available.
- Iowa.Gov details guidelines and resources for disaster assistance resources offered by the state.
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a number of programs and resources to assist farmers affected by natural disasters.
Missouri
- Missouri Agriculture Flood Resources provides additional information about USDA programs that offer assistance to farmers and ranchers.
- Recovery.MO.gov is a database of statewide emergency resources.
- MU Extension provides information about flood preparedness and response.
Wisconsin
- The Wisconsin Farm Center provides information and support to farmers and their families. Their toll-free hotline is (800) 942-2474.
- Harvest of Hope provides financial assistance to Wisconsin farmers experiencing difficulties due to natural disasters or other crises.
- UW Extension provides resources to plan for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
- The Small Business Administration's Drought Disaster Assistance helps provide disaster loans to small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and some private non-profits affected by drought.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection provides resources on flood preparedness and recovery. - ReadyWisconsin offers educational resources on emergency preparedness and response.
Kansas
- Kansas Department of Agriculture offers emergency management educational resources and training.
- Kansas Department of House and Urban Development has compiled disaster relief and emergency assistance resources.
South Dakota
- Avera Behavioral Health Hotline provides 24-hour mental health counseling at (800) 691-4336.
- South Dakota State University Extension has compiled informational resources for flood recovery.
Minnesota
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers a disaster recovery loan program.
- University of Minnesota Extension advises how to safely handle damaged agricultural buildings.
- Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: (833) 600-2670.
- Ted Matthews is a rural mental health counselor who works with farmers across the state at no cost to them: (320) 266-2390.
- Mobile Crisis Team responds quickly and provide in-person, short-term counseling or mental health services during a crisis or emergency.
- Crisis Text Line offers immediate free and confidential support for people in distress. Text MN to 741741.
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety has compiled disaster assistance resources for farmers.
***
Originally published on March 21, 2019, in the National Farmers Union newsletter.
National Farmers Union believes that good opportunities in production agriculture are the foundation of strong farm and ranch families, and strong farm and ranch families are the basis for thriving rural communities. Vibrant rural communities, in turn, are vital to the health, security and economic well-being of our entire national economy.
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