Farmers and ranchers have an additional two weeks to enroll in the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). Those farmers who experienced losses because of disease, adverse weather, wildfires or colony collapse disorder between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2013 have until Aug. 15, 2014 to enroll.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the enrollment deadline because the program is an important safety net for key sectors of American agriculture, according to FSA Administrator Juan Garcia.
The original program sign-up was scheduled to end Aug. 1.
Farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office or visit the FSA’s website for additional information regarding ELAP.