ELIZABETHTOWN — As a result of Hurricane Matthew and the damages experienced throughout Bladen County on its farms and ranches, the Bladen County FSA Emergency Board in consultation with the Bladen County FSA County Committee has requested USDA Emergency Conservation Program Assistance.

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters by providing cost-share assistance on authorized ECP practices with eligible producers.

There are four practices requested for implementation and they are as follows: EC-1 Removing Debris from Farmland, EC-2 Grading, Shaping, Releveling, or similar measures, EC-3 Restoring Permanent Fences, and EC-4 Restoring Conservation Structures and other installations.

In order to be eligible for assistance several eligibility criteria must be met. Farmers and Ranchers are encouraged to visit or call their local FSA office for further information on the ECP Program.

Contact Chris Tatum, FSA County executive director, at 910-862-3179, chris.tatum@nc.usda.gov; or for Farm Loans, contact Natalie Davis, farm loan manager, at 910-642-2196, natalie.davis@nc.usda.gov.