USDA Extends Application Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance in Several Wildfire-Impacted Counties

(Lincoln, Neb. - June 23, 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.

ECP is being implemented in these counties to address damages from these wildfires:
Morrill Fire: Arthur, Garden, Grant, Keith and Morrill
Cottonwood Fire: Dawson and 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. ECP signup in the above-listed counties began on Monday, April 27, 2026. With the extension, the deadline to apply for assistance is now Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

"We want to ensure all qualified producers who had impacts from the March historic wildfires have the opportunity to apply for and receive assistance through this program," said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director for Nebraska. "If you have a need for cost-share assistance associated with debris removal, fence repair or replacement, water structure repair or replacement, or other restoration needs, please call your county office about ECP."

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 as authorized for implementation in the listed counties, producers can contact their County FSA Office. Producers who want to apply for ECP are encouraged to call their County FSA Office to schedule an appointment. To find contact information for your County FSA Office, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

FSA helps America's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.