Purpose: Farmers can call into the Department to get more information about assistance programs, have their concerns heard, and get answers to their questions. Websites are currently under development to assist farmers with sharing resources and finding volunteers. Farmers can call the Hot line to find out more information about ongoing Departmental and other agency efforts.Phone: 1-866-506-6222
Hours of Operation: 7 am – 7 pm (Monday – Friday) Hot line is currently operational as of 4/20/11. During the holiday weekend, the Hot line will be available Friday 4/22/11 and Saturday 4/23/11 from 7 am – 2 pm. If calling after hours please leave a message. Messages will be frequently retrieved, and will be returned as soon as possible. The Hot line will be closed on Easter Sunday.
Also, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has instituted the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to allow farm operators to be reimbursed for the cost of debris removal and repair of fences due to damage from the recent tornadoes. Operators should contact their local FSA office to apply for this program. Generally the office will either visit the site or ask the operator to document the damage with photographs prior to clean up. Click here for a fact sheet detailing the program. Click here for contact information to your local FSA office.
Finally, farm operators can contact their county Extension agent and/or county Emergency Manager to ask that a resource request be submitted to North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) for prison labor to remove debris from fields to allow normal cultural practices to resume. The owner/operator will need to sign a Right of Entry Agreement Waiver which will be provided by NCEM or the county Emergency Management office. Click here for contact information to your local Cooperative Extension Office.
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