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Details of Farm Bill Sign-up to be Provided at Community Gatherings

Rancher Relief Fund Winter Storm Atlas OSLHermosaRanch families are invited to attend any of four community gatherings to be held in Eagle Butte, Union Center, Hermosa, and Interior on April 14 and 15. At each meeting, a free meal will be followed by presentations from Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials with details about the Livestock Disaster Program application process set to begin April 15.

FSA officials will provide details about reporting and documentation requirements, information about how the disaster programs will be administered and answer questions from producers.

The 2014 Farm Bill signed into law fully funded Livestock Disaster Programs including the Livestock Indemnity Program and Livestock Forage Program that provide financial support to producers who suffered losses in the October blizzard and droughts of 2012 and 2013.

Community Gatherings will be held at the following locations:

•Eagle Butte – LandMark Hall: Monday, April 14 at 6:30pm
•Hermosa – Custer County Fairgrounds: Monday, April 14 at 6:30pm
•Union Center – Central Meade Co Community Center: Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30pm
•Interior – Interior Volunteer Fire Hall: Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30pm

These gatherings are jointly hosted by USDA Farm Service Agency, Intertribal Agriculture Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Farmers Union, SD Farm Bureau, SD Sheep Growers Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association with the generous support of Ag United, First Interstate Bank of Sturgis, South Dakota Dairy Producers, Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative, West River Electric Assoc, DakotaLand Feeds, Central Life Sciences, SDSU Extension – West River Ag Center, and the SD Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

The following video is a student project about the damage done by Winter Storm Atlas to the ranching community in South Dakota. This video focuses on the loss of cattle.  However many more animals died, including bison, horses, and sheep. The SD Rancher Relief fund is one of many efforts aimed at helping ranchers recover.

Video Courtesy of Erika Ueker.

Info Source: The SD Synod of ELCA