By Laura Jean McCurdy
(334) 240-7127

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has extended the application deadline for the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) to July 26.

AARP provides U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) relief funds to farmers who suffered eligible losses due to Hurricane Michael. In 2018, Alabama’s Wiregrass region experienced substantial economic losses due to severe agriculture damage caused by Hurricane Michael.

“We would like to thank USDA leadership for accepting the department’s extension request,” said Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. “This will allow additional time for farmers within the affected area of Hurricane Michael to be aware of the relief opportunity and apply.”

AARP will provide funds for necessary expenses related to losses of beef cattle, poultry, pecans, horticulture crops (including bare-ground losses) and uninsured infrastructure damage related to the consequences of Hurricane Michael in 2018.

The eligible affected Alabama counties, per the USDA Disaster Declaration, include Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Montgomery, Pike and Russell. Visit agi.alabama.gov for enrollment details. For questions regarding AARP eligibility, call (334) 240-7100 or email aarp-questions@agi.alabama.gov.