Sign-Up To Begin For 2005 Hurricane Assistance Programs

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that sign-up begins May 17, 2006 for crop assistance programs providing aid to producers affected by the 2005 hurricane season. To be eligible for this assistance, a producer’s loss must have occurred in one of 261 counties that received a primary presidential or secretarial disaster designation due to Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, or Wilma. A list of the eligible counties in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas is available at http://www.usda.gov/HurricaneInfo.xml

The Hurricane Indemnity Program (HIP) will provide payments to eligible producers who suffered crop losses and received either a Federal Crop Insurance Corporation crop insurance indemnity or a Farm Service Agency (FSA) Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payment. Producers’ HIP benefits will equal 30% of the crop insurance indemnity or 30% of the NAP payment. More information on HIP is available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/facts/html/hip06.htm

On Dec. 30, 2005, President Bush signed the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act, which provides $900 million to address natural disaster damages from 2005 hurricanes. Of these funds, approximately $200 million is designated for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), $400 million for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program, and $300 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Sign-up dates for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program will be announced as soon as new regulations and software are developed. USDA has already made $63 million in ECP funds available to assist agricultural producers struck by hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico region during the calendar year 2005. Eligible agricultural producers may receive up to 100% cost-share to remove debris and restore fences and conservation structures. Additional funds for oyster, nursery, and poultry producers and forest landowners will be made available when new rules authorizing assistance are published in the Federal Register. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is developing these rules and plans to publish proposed rules for public comment in the near future.

FSA also currently has $156 million in low-interest emergency loan funds available to help farmers and ranchers rebuild their operations. In certain cases, FSA can provide producers with both emergency and operating loans to assist them with spring operations. Eligible producers who expect to receive future hurricane disaster payments from USDA may receive loans now and assign the disaster funds to emergency loan payments. Emergency loan funds may be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, and refinance certain debts. To apply for an emergency loan, contact your local USDA Service Center. An FSA fact sheet explaining the loan application process step-by-step is available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/facts/html/loanapplication04.htm

Additional information about hurricane assistance is available at USDA Service Centers nationwide and online at http://www.usda.gov/HurricaneInfo.xml

The Emergency Disaster Assistance Act of 2006 also will assist farmers who were overwhelmed by energy prices that spiked following last year's hurricanes. Energy-related farm expenses increased by more than $6 billion last year compared to the previous year, which reduced farm income.

The bill has attracted 25 original co-sponsors, with 13 Democrats and 13 Republicans signed on to support of the bill, including: Representatives Jo Bonner (R-AL), Marion Berry (D-AR), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Mike Ross (D-AR), Mark Foley (R-FL), Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Terry Everett (R-AL), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Rodney Alexander (R-LA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Mark Kennedy (R-MN), Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Charles Pickering (R-MS), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Charles Boustany (R-LA), David Scott (D-GA), Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), Jim Marshall (D-GA), Bobby Jindal (R-LA), Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), Jon Porter (R-NV), Ike Skelton (D-MO), Richard Baker (R-LA).

Similar language on agriculture disaster assistance was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota earlier this month and recently was passed in committee as an amendment proposed by Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota.

Mulch Rumors Untrue

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

That is the message Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom is stressing to the public as an email rumor about Formosan termite-infested mulch is circling the globe.

The email warns consumers not to purchase "cheap" wood mulch at major home improvement chains because it may be infested with Formosan termites.

"The email is not accurate and doesn't even mention the quarantines this department put in place last fall to keep Formosan termites from spreading", Odom said. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry issued quarantines following the hurricanes for woody debris in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. Woody debris cannot be moved out of these areas without first submitting a plan for treatment to the department.

"I've had my people out looking into these claims to make sure there are no violations of the quarantine. I've also had our invasive pest expert contact the stores mentioned in the email and we've yet to find any validity to the claims in the email", Odom said.

"In my opinion, someone is using the Internet to cause hysteria about a problem that doesn't really exist. If there are people out there who know about someone violating the quarantines, then they need to report it to us. We'll shut the culprits down real quick but it has to be reported," Odom said. "I think the quarantines are doing the job, though. We've worked with the debris contractors, the Corps of Engineers and FEMA to handle the debris and quarantines."

An official with the LSU AgCenter's Cooperative Extension Service said their offices have been receiving calls non-stop about information contained in the emails.

"Our termite specialists are getting inundated with calls and e-mails," said Dr. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. "We have posted new information on our Web site. We hope people will continue to use this as a resource for accurate information."

To report a quarantine violation, call (225) 925-3763. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry's Web site, www.ldaf.state.la.us and the LSU AgCenter's Web site, www.lsuagcenter.com contain information about the quarantines, Formosan termites and debris disposal.

Tax Credits For Hurricane-Hit Businesses

According to the Florida, Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, businesses hit by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma may be eligible for very substantial federal tax credits and savings. Depending on individual business situations, these may include an employee retention tax credit of up to 40% of qualified wages for each eligible employee up to $6,000. There are additional federal tax-relief provisions dealing with certain deadline extensions, casualty losses, and distributions from retirement accounts.

To access IRS Publication 4492 ("Information for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma"), go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4492.pdf To obtain employee retention tax credits, use IRS Form 5884-A, "Credits for Employers Affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma."

For further information, contact your accountant or tax attorney to discuss eligibility. This and other tax-relief provisions were enacted by Congress as part of the "Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005" and the "Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005."

$2.8 Billion In Hurricane Disaster Assistance

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced $2.8 billion in aid to assist victims of the 2005 hurricane season. Agricultural producers will receive $1.2 billion through various programs and $1.6 billion will restore homes and rural communities.

Johanns authorized the use of $250 million from Section 32 funds in October 2005 for crop disaster, livestock, tree, and aquaculture assistance. These funds will be distributed by way of five new programs: the Tree Indemnity Program (TIP), the Hurricane Indemnity Program (HIP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Feed Indemnity Program (FIP); and an Aquaculture Block Grant program.

Producers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas counties declared primary presidential or secretarial disaster areas in 2005 because of hurricanes are eligible to apply for assistance under the new programs. A complete list of these counties is posted at
http://www.usda.gov/HurricaneInfo.xml

On Dec. 30, 2005, President Bush signed the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act, which provides $900 million to address natural disaster damages from 2005 hurricanes. Of these funds, approximately $200 million is designated for the Emergency Conservation Program, $400 million for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program, and $300 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

Sign-up dates for the new programs will be announced as soon as new regulations and software are developed. Eligible producers can apply now at any USDA Service Center for Emergency Conservation Program funds to remove hurricane debris from farmland. Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds for eligible projects are available today.

USDA also made the following programs available to farmers and ranchers adversely affected by the 2005 hurricanes: the Emergency Conservation Program, Emergency Loan Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. USDA’s assistance is part of a larger, comprehensive relief effort being coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Additional information about USDA hurricane assistance is available at USDA Service Centers nationwide and online at
http://www.usda.gov/HurricaneInfo.xml

Disaster Assistance Update

The Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) continues to push hard to secure federal disaster assistance in the wake of the 2005 hurricane season. FNGLA and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson met in Washington with Florida’s congressional delegation to coordinate the drive. As a result, U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan comprehensive bill (S.2009) with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). The bill provides federal assistance to the nursery industry and all of the agricultural segments impacted by the hurricanes in Florida and the other Gulf States. U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced H.R. 4330 as the companion bill, which has already attracted 20 cosponsors, including members of Congress from Alabama and Mississippi.

FNGLA joined USDA’s Deputy Secretary when he toured South Florida to see the area’s destruction and need for federal assistance. This occurred after a Homestead visit by Governor Jeb Bush. The support from Commissioner Bronson, Florida’s congressional delegation, and the Dade County Farm Bureau has been very strong. It is hoped action on a federal disaster assistance package will soon occur.

Wilma's Wrath

On Oct. 24, Hurricane Wilma slammed through some of Florida's most concentrated nursery-growing areas as the storm roared across the southern part of the state's peninsula. Among the counties hardest hit were Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Hendry, Glades, Lee, and Collier.

"Hurricane Wilma is a major event in the history of Florida's nursery and landscape industry," says Ben Bolusky, Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association's (FNGLA) executive vice president. "FNGLA has launched a full court press with key political leaders in Washington and government officials in Tallahassee to secure disaster assistance."

Growers were hammered by Hurricane Wilma's destructive winds and flooding rains. Nursery shade houses and greenhouses are literally flattened exposing many sensitive foliage plants. Many nurseries are also without power, rendering needed irrigation systems inoperable.

More than 2,600 production nurseries in these counties were in harm's way -- representing a third of Florida's $9.9 billion nursery and landscape industry. Many of these very same growers were hit head-on by at least two of last year's hurricanes. Nursery growers in Miami-Dade County were in the throes of rebuilding from the estimated $370 million in nursery crop losses caused by Hurricane Katrina.

According to FNGLA reports, nursery damage is believed to be extensive and widespread. However, due to power outages and downed communication lines, it is too early to assess the full scope of the crop loss, structural damage, and business interruption caused by Hurricane Wilma.

"Last year, Florida's nursery industry proved its resiliency when it was pummeled by four storms," said Richard Carroll, FNGLA President. "Eight hurricanes in 15 months is an unprecedented challenge, but this is a big state and a big industry. Our growers will again pick up the pieces and rebound."

FNGLA is working with its chapters and individual members to ship supplies and materials into the areas affected by Hurricane Wilma. The association urges growers to utilize the assistance provided by local Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs). Agricultural assistance is provided under the Emergency Support Function 17 (ESF). Each county emergency plan should account for ESF 17 needs. In many disaster events, the county EOC is prepared to assist area agricultural business with supplies.

Growers in need should contact their local EOC to find out what types of material are available or to ask for specific supplies needed in their area. Typically, county EOCs will have food, water, and other essential items for survival and maintain active "needs" lists for necessary materials within your county. The following phone numbers are the contacts for EOCs in some of the heavily impacted areas:

• Broward: 954-831-3900
• Collier: 239-774-8444
• Hendry: 863-675-5392
• Lee: 239-477-3600
• Martin: 772-287-1652
• Miami-Dade: 305-468-5900
• Palm Beach: 561-712-6400
• St. Lucie: 772-461-5201

Legislation Introduced To Help Growers
Harmed By Katrina

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) will hold a press conference on Friday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. to discuss legislation he has introduced in Congress to aid nursery and tropical fruit growers impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will join him.

The Nursery and Tropical Fruit Producer Relief Act (H.R. 4031) provides much needed assistance to agricultural producers. The press conference will be held at Costa Nursery Farms, located at 22290 SW 162 Ave. in Goulds, FL. Costa Nursery Farms sustained crop and structural losses in excess of $30 million.

Hurricane Katrina caused over $427 million in crop losses to Miami-Dade County agricultural producers. Structural damages are estimated at an additional $200 million. The nursery industry suffered crop losses of over $370 million, and 22,578 acres of production agriculture were affected.

Hurricane Rita Hurts Louisiana

Louisiana's nursery and landscape industry has a new enemy, and her name is Rita. Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana just east of the Louisiana/Texas state line on Sept. 24. Allen Owings, professor of horticulture at the Louisiana State University AgCenter, reports that presidential disaster parishes are Allen, Acadia, Beauregard, Cameron, Calcasieu, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Terrebonne, Vermilion, and Saint Mary. Some minor damage to nursery crops (primarily field-grown stock) also occurred in Evangeline, Saint Landry, Iberville, Rapides, and possibly Saint Martin.

The number of wholesale nurseries in disaster parishes is 158. Estimated crop losses in disaster parishes are believed to be $5 to $6 million. An additional $100,000 to $200,000 of damage may have occurred in Evangeline, Rapides, Saint Landry, Iberville, and Saint Martin parishes. This does not include plant losses due to current or upcoming irrigation system failures; nor does it include structural damage, facility damage, container yard damage, irrigation system repairs, clean up costs, etc. The vast majority of affected growers are woody ornamental nursery producers, and about 10% of them are primarily bedding plant and herbaceous plant producers.

There are 167 horticulture service providers and 283 landscape contractors residing or doing business in the 12-parish area most impacted by Hurricane Rita. This represents 16.5% and 17.1%, respectively, of the state total.

The devastation to retail garden centers (including independents and mass merchandisers) is major in the affected areas. Nursery stock dealers in Louisiana number 1352. A quarter of Louisiana nursery stock dealers are located in the parishes most affected by Hurricane Rita (329 total).

The most recently completed LSU AgCenter study of the annual contributions of Louisiana's green industry to the economy shows $2.215 billion in gross sales and employment of 56,686.

The initial (still considered preliminary) estimate of wholesale nursery crop loss is $11 million. This does not include plant losses due to irrigation system failures, structural damage, facility damage, container yard damage, irrigation system repairs, clean up costs, etc.

Approximately 30% of the loss is in greenhouse/floriculture crop production, with the remainder representing losses from woody ornamental nurseries. The majority of Louisiana's largest greenhouse/floriculture crop producers are located in the damaged area. Major loss of market has also occurred due to landscape industry and retail trade market devastation in metropolitan New Orleans. In addition, major losses have occurred to the container citrus tree industry and to Christmas tree farms.

Nearly 36% of Louisiana licensed landscape contractors and horticulture service providers reside or do business in the areas most heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina. There are 1964 licensed landscape contractors and horticulture service providers in Louisiana. Some landscape professionals on the north shore will be actively involved in cleanup and landscape renovation efforts. Almost 22% of licensed landscape architects in Louisiana are located in the most affected parishes.

The devastation to retail garden centers (including independents and mass merchandisers) is major in the affected areas. Nursery stock dealers in Louisiana number 1,345, with 27% of them located in the most affected parishes

FNGLA Pushing For Hurricane Disaster Relief

The Florida Nursery, Landscape & Growers Association (FNGLA) is working very hard to secure meaningful disaster assistance for nurseries hit by Hurricane Katrina. FNGLA has literally been in continuous discussions with the offices of Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, Governor Jeb Bush, and congressional offices, including U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. FNGLA is also taking a lead in coordinating the congressional messages being communicated by the Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi nursery/landscape associations.

FNGLA is seeking four objectives in a relief package:

1. Secure a nursery crop loss and clean-up package similar to last year's special Florida nursery hurricane relief
2. Broaden USDA's Emergency Conservation Program to recognize the clean-up and disposal of nursery, shade house, and greenhouse debris as eligible for cost-share assistance
3. Broaden USDA's Tree Assistance Program to recognize field-grown and container- grown trees as eligible crops and provide cost-share assistance
4. Ensure nursery crops are eligible under any general agriculture disaster package.
   

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor has created the Katrina Recovery Job Connection, a Web site dedicated to connecting workers impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina with employers who want to hire them. Visit http://www.jobsearch.org/katrinajobs/
or http://www.ajb.org/ for more info.

Mississippi Green Industry Vows To Rebuild

The Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) reports that the green industry incurred significant loss from Hurricane Katrina. Entire garden centers were blown away. With shade cloths ripped off, greenhouse roofs collapsed, and a loss of power, irrigation systems were inoperable for several days.

When asked what the plan for recovery would be, one grower/retail nursery owner replied, "Our first step is to get a travel trailer to live in. The second step would be to build an office so work can continue. After that, we will begin work on rebuilding our house and our greenhouses."

Initial estimates by Mississippi State University and MNLA show the state's nursery producers loss to be $17 to $19 million. Including losses from retail nurseries and landscape contractors, the total could reach $100 million. With almost $1 billion in industry sales, Mississippi depends on this revenue.

When the president of the MNLA was asked how this would impact the state's green industry," Peggy Wallace replied, "We are a very strong group that pledges to help one another with the recovery process. As we plan for the future, we dedicate ourselves to help those who have lost the most. We are down, but we are not out. In the next few months, as everyone rebuilds, you will see a boom in our industry. Our growers and retail nurseries just have to hold on for the next few months. After that, this industry will grow like never before. We need help now so that we can be here when the boom arrives. Unfortunately some of the verbiage written to assist businesses in the eye of the storm was not worded to benefit our industry. At this moment, we need our senators to stand tall and make sure we are inclusive."

In the spring, MNLA produces two Garden & Patio Shows that attract almost 20,000 retail shoppers. When Jan Winter, MNLA Executive Secretary/Treasurer was asked if these shows would go on she replied, "Both shows will go on as planned. The Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center was in the path of the storm, but we have no plans of canceling either of the shows. If either of our facilities could not accommodate our events, we would simply move the location to a facility in proximity."

For more information on MNLA or for details that could help hurricane victims in Mississippi, visit the MNLA Web site at
http://www.msnla.org or call 866-919-8111.

Help Green Industry Members Harmed By Hurricane Katrina

The Southern Nursery Association has set up an Industry Disaster Support Program. Those wanting to participate in the relief effort can download a form at
http://www.sna.org or call 866-919-8111 to pledge their support in the form of equipment, labor, or monetary contributions.

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) has established an Emergency Disaster Support Program. Many green industry companies may have a loss of revenue for weeks or months and could be unable to pay their employees. If your company is able to provide an experienced employee temporary employment (and possibly housing) during this time, please go to PLANET's Job Site
http://www.landcarenetwork.org/cms/utilities/job.html or call 866-919-8111 and list available job postings. When prompted for the particulars of the job, please use "Disaster Support Jobs Available" for the name of the position so jobs can easily be found by those in need. Those who are not members of PLANET may e-mail job openings to jobs@landcarenetwork.org or contact the PLANET office at 800-395-2522. If you can make an in-kind donation, go to PLANET's Message Board
http://www.landcarenetwork.org/jforum/forums/list.page or call 866-919-8111, and list it under the "Disaster Support - Help Needed / Help Offered" forum.

Aid For MS Growers

Due to all counties in Mississippi now being declared as either disaster areas or eligible, contiguous counties, certain agricultural producers in the state may apply for low-interest emergency loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency. USDA has also made other assistance programs available, including the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Contact your local USDA Service Center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at:
http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov