USDA Authorizes Deadline Extension for Emergency Conservation Program in Several Wildfire-Impacted Counties

(Lincoln, Neb. - Nov. 4, 2026) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has extended the application period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in several Nebraska counties impacted by March wildfires. The ECP application deadline for assistance is now Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026.

This extension applies to those with 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.

"We believe we have heard from the majority of producers who suffered eligible losses or damages and want to access this program," said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director for Nebraska. "It's been an intense year for these wildfire-impacted producers, and we want to give them additional time to apply for ECP if they haven't already done so."

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.

More Information

To learn more about ECP, producers can contact their FSA county office. To submit an ECP application, producers are encouraged to call their FSA county office to schedule an appointment. To find contact information for your local FSA county office or to book an appointment online, use our Office Locator Tool.