USDA Announces $6 Billion Available for Farmers Impacted by Wildfires

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that $6 billion is now available for commodity and specialty crop producers — including winegrape growers — who suffered financial losses as a result of natural disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021 through the Emergency Relief Program. The new program is an extension of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Plus Program (WHIP+) and will offer payments to offset crop yield and value losses due to wildfires, smoke exposure, droughts, excessive heat, floods, hurricanes, derechos and winter storms.

Grape growers who are currently enrolled in the federal crop insurance program are eligible to apply in the first phase of relief. Payments will be calculated based on the type and level of crop insurance in the producer’s policy. All others will be able to apply in the second round later this summer. Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers will soon be hosting an educational webinar with representatives from the Farm Service Agency who will administer the program. Additional information on eligibility and payment calculations can be found in this three-page Emergency Relief Program Fact Sheet developed by USDA.