NEWS RELEASE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is again extending the application period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in several Nebraska counties impacted by March wildfires. The ECP application period opened in late April. The deadline to apply for assistance is now Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.

ECP is available to address wildfire damage in the following counties: Morrill Fire: Arthur, Garden, Grant, Keith, Morrill Cottonwood Fire: Dawson, Lincoln Road 203 Fire: Blaine, Thomas Anderson Bridge Fire: Cherry, Ashby and Minor Fires: Grant, Garden ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farm and ranch land to pre-disaster conditions following a qualifying natural disaster event.

“Our FSA County office staff continue to work with producers impacted by March wildfires. Due to the scope of this historic disaster event, we requested this two-month deadline extension to ensure producers who suffered eligible losses or damages can apply for and receive this critical assistance,” said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director for Nebraska.

Approved ECP applicants can receive up to 75% of the allowable cost of the approved restoration activity, with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event.