Download updated flood and storm damaged information. This piece included good suggestions on how to test flood damage corn silage for use.

Agricultural & Community Recovery Program

Was your farm damaged by Hurricane Irene?  Governor Cuomo has announced the Agricultural and Community Recovery Program (ACRP) to aid farmers with storm damage to agricultural infrastructure, streambanks, etc. for rebuilding the ag industry in hard hit farming areas.

Emergency conservation practices that may qualify are:

• Removal of flood debris
• Alternative water supplies
• Barnyard water management
• Manure storage/treatment and transfer systems
• Critical area protection
• Erosion control practices
• Filter areas
• Processed wash water management
• Cropland and pasture management
• Petroleum, fertilizer and pesticide storage facilities
• Conservation buffer
• Silage leachate control
• Streambank stabilization

If you have significant damage caused by Irene, please arrange for a site visit by an SWCD representative.  If the SWCD determines that you may qualify, a form will be submitted on your behalf to the NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee in Albany.  Funds will be distributed on a weekly basis until gone. Please Note:  Actual crop damage does not qualify under this program.

Download the full announcement.

On Sunday August 28, 2011, much of eastern NY was exposed to severely strong winds and heavy rains.  Thousands of owners of private woodland properties and maple production facilities may have experienced some amount of damage.  Some sugarhouses in low lying areas might have suffered flooding.  Three simple guidelines will help owners of rural property take appropriate action.  The guidelines are similar to those recommended following the 1998 ice storm in the northern forests: safety first, seek professional assistance, and take time to make informed decisions. Download important information.

Recent flooding events in NYS may contribute to increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases if wet conditions persist without killing frosts. In particular, West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) disease has already been detected in horses, dogs and some wildlife in NYS. Increased mosquito activity may increase the risks in areas already struggling with flood recovery.

Download the September 1 issue of Checking the Back Forty plus some post-hurricane information.

This letter from Commissioner Martens to Commissioner Aubertine outlines the suspension of discharges from 8/27 through 9/4 due to the excessive rainfall caused by hurricane Irene. The letter also addresses questions about disposal of bulk tank milk that cannot be picked up or becomes unrefrigerated due to power outages.

This message is for farmers and others of the ag sector who have experienced impacts from Hurricane Irene that will require filing insurance claims and related tax issues.

What to do if you have crop damage from Hurricane Irene.

Dear growers, farm market managers and vendors,

Even though hurricane Irene has passed, the havoc that she created remains.  Our hearts go out to those that lost crops and property.  Unfortunately we have more bad news for those that are victims of flooding.  According to the Food and Drug Administration, foods exposed to flood waters are considered “adulterated” and should not enter the human food supply.   In addition, crops and other food commodities exposed to flood waters would not be acceptable for use in animal feed.  Food safety is now our major concern. 

What does this mean?  It means that any of your crops in which the edible portion  was covered with flood water cannot be sold for human consumption, especially those fields that were flooded with river or stream water since there is no way to assess the microbial and chemical contaminants that may be present.  We are telling you this for your own protection.  No one wants to be responsible for causing a food borne illness.  A food borne illness event could result in further loss of life, the shutting down of farmers markets and possibly the loss of your property and other assets.  

Cornell Cooperative Extension's Capital Area Ag/Hort Program Team has issued a special emergency edition newsletter. See attachment.

Major topics include CAFO, the U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers, and Dealing with Flooded Vegetable Fields.

Farmers are reminded that prior to cleaning up or destroying crops in flooded fields, check with your crop insurance and/or your local Farm Services Agency (FSA) representatives regarding exact documentation to certify losses, procedures for initiating claims, possible financial assistance.