Nov. 13, 18; Dec. 6 — Farm Bureau of Ventura County shares information on Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Series

Partnering with local organizations like VC CoLAB, the Ag Commissioner, UCCE, VCRCD, USDA-FSA, and Thomas Fire victims, and more we have initiated a series of webinars for the ag community to get updates, ask questions, and support eachother in a speedy recovery.

Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar Series:

Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar 1: Immediate Considerations

Wednesday November 13th 10am

·      Log In: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85690644273?pwd=mpQz5IYEai04Ue7gmmGTZ0dGFkqhlp.1

·      Webinar ID: 856 9064 4273

·      Passcode: AGSTRONG

Tentative Agenda:

·      Ag Commissioner Update and Reporting Damages

·      Thomas Fire victims share what they have learned

·      Q&A

Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar 2: Recovery Resources

Monday November 18^th 10am

·      Log In: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85690644273?pwd=mpQz5IYEai04Ue7gmmGTZ0dGFkqhlp.1

·      Webinar ID: 856 9064 4273

·      Passcode: AGSTRONG

Tentative Agenda:

·      Ag Commissioner Update and Reporting Damages

·      USDA- Farm Service Agency

·      Ventura County Resource Conservation District

·      Q&A

Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar 3: Ag Community Check In

Friday December 6th 10am

·      Log In: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85690644273?pwd=mpQz5IYEai04Ue7gmmGTZ0dGFkqhlp.1

·      Webinar ID: 856 9064 4273

·      Passcode: AGSTRONG

Agenda to be determined.

Further in this email, you’ll find links to resources on fire safety, evacuation guidance, air quality updates, and available emergency services. Please review these resources and reach out if you need additional assistance. The safety of our members and community remains our top priority.

Wildfire Resources for Farmers, Ranchers, and Growers

VCEmergency.com

Venturacountyrecovers.org

211 Now : Active Disaster Resource Search Tool

Ventura County Fire Department  Ready, Set, Go!

Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner

Ag Passes and other Information

805-933-2926

Ag.commissioner@ventura.org

Ventura County Fire Safe Council

Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Home Hardening Assessments, Training, Chipper Events, Interagency Coordination

info@venturafiresafe.org

The Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD) Impacted Household Needs Assessment

Fire Recovery for Avocado and Citrus Growers -UCCE agronomic resources

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs to assist in the recovery efforts following wildfires or other qualifying natural disasters.

Available programs and loans may include:

• 2024 Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters including excessive wind and qualifying drought (includes native grass for grazing).
• 2024 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)- An owner or contract grower must file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is first apparent. LIP offers payments to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather.
• 2024 Tree Assistance Program-Report your tree/bush/vine losses within 90 Days of the disaster or disease. TAP provides assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers for qualifying tree, shrub and vine losses due to natural disasters including fire.
• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) – provides emergency relief for losses due to feed or water shortages, disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, which are not adequately addressed by other disaster programs. Notice of Loss and application deadline is Jan 30 after the program year in which the loss occurred.
• Emergency Loan Program – available to producers with agriculture operations located in a county under a primary or contiguous Presidential or Secretarial disaster designation. These low interest loans help producers recover from production and physical losses.
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) – provides emergency funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate land severely damaged by natural disasters; includes fence loss. Note: ECP for fire damage is not yet available. Use the QR code or link above to report your damage.

For more information on these programs, contact your Santa Barbara and Ventura County USDA Service Center at (805)928-9269 Ext. 2 or check out fsa.usda.gov/disaster.

Mental Health Resources:

Ventura County Health Care Agency Crisis Hotline (866) 998-2243

Want to help?

VCCF Ventura County Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund

Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council Annual Meeting November 14th

Learn more about their impact and support their work

Understand Your Wildfire Risk

The wildfire hazard is defined by fire severity zones – very high, high, and moderate. Click the image below to find your risk level. Even those in lower risk areas should be prepared for the impacts of wildfire smoke on their operations.

Are you and your workers protected from wildfire smoke?

The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety has developed resources including an Employer Checklist, providing action items to assist with meeting the requirements outlined in Cal-OSHA regulation §5141.1 “Protection from Wildfire Smoke” as well as a Training Poster & Accompanying Discussion Guide.

Click here to order free printed materials in English and Spanish.