If you have had Agricultural losses due to a wildfire, your losses need to be reported to your local Agricultural Commissioner’s office so they can prepare a disaster report.
San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures Disaster Assistance information.
Agriculture, Weights and Measures phone: 858-694-2739.

Agricultural Financial Aid Information:

FARM SERVICES AGENCY (FSA)
FSA is part of United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as specified by Congress.

1.  LOANS:

• EMERGENCY FARM LOAN is a low interest (around 3.5 percent) loan for farmers who cannot secure loans elsewhere.

Contact:
Santa Maria Farm Services Agency
Aurora or Terry
805-928-9269 Extension 2

2.  COST SHARE PROGRAM:

• $2 million will be available for debris removal from orchards and to replace livestock fencing through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).
• 75 percent cost share.

Contact:
Indio FSA Service Center
82-901 Bliss
Indio , CA  92201
(760) 347-3675 Extension 2

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (NRCS):
The NRCS is part of United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) that works in partnership with people to conserve natural resources.

1.  COST SHARE PROGRAM:
$4.6 million is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

• to protect newly exposed soil from severe erosion.
• to install agriculture infrastructure such as irrigation systems, needed to maintain the crops and other vegetative covers essential to protecting the hillsides.
• 75 percent cost share.

Federal: SMALL BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION

• Some agricultural businesses (such as certain types of nurseries) and associated businesses (packers/shippers) may qualify for a SBA loan.  Please contact SBA to find out if you qualify.

CONTACT:   
Small Business Administration
550 West C Street, Suite 550
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 557-7250

California State:  SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER ASSISTANCE LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

• Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger directed $7 million in loans for farms, agriculture-related businesses and businesses in communities that suffered damage or significant economic loss as a result of the southern California wildfires.
• The Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program is available for farm enterprises that engage in the production of food or fiber, or ranching and raising livestock. It is also extended to nurseries engaged in the wholesale or retail selling of plants and agriculture related enterprises such as packing shed co-ops, feed yards, cotton gins and food processors.

CONTACT:   
Financial Development Corporation: California Southern
600 B Street, Suite 2450
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-7771
www.casouth.com

See also
Fire-damaged avocado groves
Vegetation Recovery