NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) - Local agriculture officials say it is possible several area farmers that suffered substantial property damage by heavy rainstorms this year could qualify for emergency conservation program funds through the USDA. 

Tuscarawas and Carroll counties Farm Service Agency Director Jessie Birney says area farmers may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program that covers up to 75-percent of the cost to restore land damaged by natural disasters. She says applications are available at the New Philadelphia office at 277 Canal Ave. SE.

“Once we verify that their disaster is pertinent to the weather from the spring and summer, those applications are submitted to Washington DC, and will hopefully be subsequently funded,” she says.

Birney says she expects several area farms will be eligible for funding assistance with some of the season’s storms dropping more than four inches of rain at a time.

“Debris that’s been deposited in farm ground from flooding, so people that are in low-lying areas near creeks and streams that overwhelmed their banks and deposited debris, silt. We’re also looking at gulleys and slips, things caused by excessive rains or the flash floods,” she says.

Birney says people should contact the New Philadelphia FSA office and schedule an appointment before coming in at 330-339-5585. The deadline to apply for assistance is November 8th. 

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