Disaster Recovery Block Grants

Upcoming Disaster Relief Program for Maine Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Producers

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is preparing to launch a new disaster relief program for producers impacted by severe weather in 2023 and 2024. This effort is supported by the federal Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025 (Act).

Using the Act’s available state block grant funding, DACF will administer its own program distinct from the national Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP program), to better serve Maine’s diverse farming community, including producers not typically covered by federal programs.

Key Highlights:

• Broader eligibility to include various losses to specialty crops, timber, aquaculture, and infrastructure.
• No requirement for crop insurance or NAP enrollment, whereas participants in the SDRP program must purchase coverage for 2 years to be eligible for relief funds.
• Application launch is expected in fall 2025, outside peak growing/harvest season.

Under this approach, Maine producers will not be eligible for the current USDA SDRP program.

DACF is working closely with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to finalize the program. As soon as possible, more information, including eligibility guidelines and application instructions, will be shared on this page and via email. Contact DACF Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Craig Lapine with questions craig.lapine@maine.gov.

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Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2025