Pa. farmers with damaged fields due to Debby can apply for assistance Monday

TIOGA COUNTY, PA. (WENY) -- Pennsylvania farmers whose farmland was damaged due to flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby can apply for help to pay for critical repairs through the Farm Service Agency starting Monday, according to State Representative Clint Owlett.

The agency will accept applications for their Emergency Conservation Program from Tioga and Potter County farmers starting Oct. 7 through Dec. 6. The program can cover up to 75% of the costs for farmers to restore farmland, rebuild fences and more. However, farmers who just started operations or have limited resources could get up to 90% of repairs covered.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, impacted farmers can apply for up to $500,000 of assistance. To get projects covered, farmers must apply for assistance before starting the repair work.

For details on how to apply, contact the Tioga County USDA Service Center at 570-724-4812 or the Potter County USDA Service Center at 814-274-8522.