Resources for California Avocado Growers Impacted by the Mountain Fire

Nov 15, 2024

To assist California avocado growers impacted by the Mountain Fire, the California Avocado Commission has gathered the information noted below.

U.S. Department of Agricultural Farm Service Agency Representative Available On Site

A USDA FSA representative will be available to assist growers impacted by the wildifre on the following dates.

November 20 - 21 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
VC Ag Commissioner's Camarillo Office
555 Airport Way, Suite E
Camarillo, CA 93010

Reporting Damage

It is important growers report damage incurred by the Mountain Fire to the FSA. Growers can do so using the QR code below. Please note, this form is NOT an application for aid but is designed to gather essential information related to the 2024 Mountain Fire. Producers are required to document damage with dated photographs, videos and third-party verification. Growers will need property tax statements and land leases for submission.

qr code- mountain fire damage report

Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinars

The Farm Bureau of Ventura County is hosting a Mountain Fire Ag Recovery webinar series. The November 13 session is now available online. The November 18 session concerning recovery resources also is available online. The remaining upcoming session (which also can be attended in person) is noted below.

December 6, 10:00 a.m.

Ag community check in

Log in at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85690644273?pwd=mpQz5IYEai04Ue7gmmGTZ0dGFkqhlp.1
Webinar ID: 9064 4273
Passcode: AGSTRONG
In-person at 555 Airport Way, Suite E, Harvest Room
Camarillo, CA 93010

Tree Assistance Program

Growers also can apply for the Tree Assistance Program. TAP provides financial assistance to help growers replant/rehabilitate trees damaged by natural disasters. If a producer replants the orchard, the program reimburses some of the costs at the rates set by the National Office.

Growers must submit a TAP application (CCC-899) 90 calendar days after the disaster or on the date when the loss is apparent. It is crucial growers do not begin work to restore farmland until FSA approves the cost-share request. If you are facing an emergency situation, you may need to take action and take restorative actions before filing an ECP. If that is the case, growers should submit a letter to the FSA explaining the situation. Growers can contact the FSA county office (805.928.9269) to obtain information concerning emergency waivers.

USDA Wildfire Recovery Assistance

Disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs are available via the USDA as well. Available programs include:

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).
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.

Other Resources

For more information on these programs, contact your Ventura County USDA Service Center at 805.928.9269 ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov/disaster.