Farmers have until August 15 to apply for the Storm Damage Cover Crop Initiative.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced July 11 that funding is available to producers who experienced crop damage due to severe weather during the 2014 growing season. Interested applicants have until Aug. 15, 2014, to apply.

The Storm Damage Cover Crop Initiative will help producers with planting cover crops to re-establish vegetative cover lost due to extreme weather conditions such as drought, floods, tornado, hail, and high winds.

Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson said, "Nebraska's producers know that weather in the Great Plains can be extreme, but this year has been especially devastating. In some areas, crops have been totally destroyed, leaving bare ground exposed."

"NRCS can help farmers and ranchers recover from these storm events by establishing cover crops to protect soil health. If soil health is degraded, the impact of this year's extreme weather events will be felt for years to come."

According to NRCS, cover crops can be an important tool in recovering from severe weather events like Nebraska has been experiencing. When a cover crop of grasses, legumes or small grains is planted, the soil is covered and protected from further damage from wind, water and heat. Leaving soil exposed can reduce soil health and lead to long-lasting crop production problems. Establishing a cover crop now can help protect and prepare the soil for the next growing season.

For more information about the Storm Damage Cover Crop Initiative and other NRCS programs, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA NRCS News Release