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Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources


We are sharing the following information provided by *Tommy Higgins, State Executive Director, Maine Farm Service Agency*.

As of Thursday, September 18, six counties in Maine are now classified as D3 (Extreme Drought): *Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin, Somerset, and Oxford*. In addition, our coastal counties stretching from Washington to Lincoln have remained in D2 (Severe Drought) for five consecutive weeks.

Any period at D3 triggers multiple federal programs, including:


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*Livestock Forage Program (LFP) [ [link removed] ]:* Provides payments to livestock producers for grazing losses. D2 status triggers one month of payments; D3 triggers three months.


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*Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) [ [link removed] ]:* Financial assistance for transporting water to livestock. Documentation of gallons hauled is required.


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*Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) [ [link removed] ]:* Cost share (up to 75%) to provide emergency water for grazing/confined livestock and existing orchards/vineyards. Eligible practices include pipeline installation, well construction, and spring/seep development.


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*Emergency Farm Loans (EM Loans) [ [link removed] ]:* Triggered by Secretarial Disaster Designations, offering low-interest loans to restore/reorganize operations, cover production costs, or refinance certain debts.

*Additional Programs:*


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*Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) [ [link removed] ]:* Producers must notify their county FSA office of losses within 15 days of a natural disaster, or within 72 hours for certain hand-harvested and perishable crops. A completed "Notice of Loss (CCC-576)" is required.


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*Tree Assistance Program (TAP) [ [link removed] ]:* Available to orchardists and nursery growers experiencing natural disaster losses.

For assistance, please *contact your local FSA office [ [link removed] ]*.

You may also *sign up to stay informed [ [link removed] ]* through USDA updates.

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Important Actions for Maine Farmers

*Report Losses Promptly*


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Contact your local *FSA office* to report any drought-related crop or livestock losses.


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Even small losses matter – they help trigger federal disaster designations.


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*Deadlines:*


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Most crops: report within 15 days of the event, damage becoming visible, or normal harvest date.


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Hand-harvested/perishable crops (berries, tomatoes, grapes, herbs): report within 72 hours of loss.

*Document Impacts*


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Keep written records and photos of drought impacts on crops, pastures, livestock, and water systems.


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Save receipts for any water hauling, feed purchases, or emergency repairs.

*Stay Informed*


* Check the *Maine Drought Taskforce [ [link removed] ] *for updates and resources
* Check the *U.S. Drought Monitor [ [link removed] ]* (updated Thursdays).
* Subscribe to the *Maine FSA monthly newsletter [ [link removed] ]* for program updates.
* Visit DACF’s *agricultural water management webpage [ [link removed] ]* for drought strategies.

*Review the Federal Assistance Programs detailed and hyperlinked above.*

*Plan Ahead*


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Consider applying to DACF’s *Farmer Drought Relief Program [ [link removed] ]* (next round expected in late 2025) for long-term investments in water management and irrigation.

*Contact the DACF or your local FSA office with any questions*

Emily Horton <[email protected]>: Director of Policy & Community Engagement
Tom Gordon <[email protected]>: Soil & Water Conservation Program Coordinator

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"Access the U.S. Drought Monitor: Maine [ [link removed] ]"

MED3

USDA Farm Service Agency - Maine State Executive Director: Tommy Higgins <[email protected]>
DACF Media contact: Jim Britt <[email protected]>




Maine State Government is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry · 18 Elkins Lane, Harlow Building · Augusta, ME 04333 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]