WJTV-TV Jackson
Mississippi farmers encouraged to apply for disaster aid
By Tommy West
WASHINGTON (WJTV) – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture program will begin to distribute $16 billion in assistance to farmers and ranchers in Mississippi and around the nation who experienced losses in recent years due to natural disasters.
Hyde-Smith said Mississippi producers can apply for aid if they incurred weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the launch of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) on Wednesday.
“I anticipate that a good number of producers in Mississippi will qualify for assistance because our state experienced multiple natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. They should actively look to determine whether they’re eligible for help,” Hyde-Smith said. “We fought hard to provide the USDA with these funds, and I’m pleased the administration has worked diligently to get disaster relief out the door to the farmers and ranchers who need the aid to maintain their operations.”
The USDA and Federal Emergency Management Agency have certified that Mississippi experienced multiple types of natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, including freezes, tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, high winds and drought.
For more information on SDRP eligibility and application information, click here.