Grant Funds Available for Agricultural Producers Affected by 2012/2013 Floods and Fires

Grant Funds Available for Agricultural Producers Affected by 2012/2013 Floods and Fires

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
Colorado Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for ag producers to apply for disaster recovery grants.

Suzanna Larsen oversees grant program for disaster recovery.

These grants are for farmers and ranchers who were hit by the 2012 and13 flooding and fires.

A total of 9 million dollars in federal funds were made available.

"Even though it's almost 4 years later, we still see a lot of silt and debris on what was once usable farmland. We've been able to help out with a lot of fencing and corrals. We've been able to go in and do that silt removal. Land levelling, re-seeding once viable pasture land. We've also done a lot of irrigation pond clean outs because a lot of those ponds were inundated with dirt."

Many producers were helped with recovery reimbursements and there is still money available.

"The goal of the program is to keep businesses afloat, retain employees and potentially even create jobs. We can also help with operational costs moving forward. A lot of farmers spent their life savings trying to recuperate as much as they could from these disasters.

Applications are being accepted until September 29, 2017. Visit www.colorado.gov and search for agriculture business grant.

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