NEW ROADS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announced Monday that it is now accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program to address storm damage in Pointe Coupee Parish. 

The program provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions, with this round of funding going to address damage from a Sept. 7 storm that affected Pointe Coupee. 

Applications are open from Monday to Dec. 9. 

The money awarded through the program can be used to remove debris from farmland and restore permanent fences.

Approved ECP applicants can receive up to 75% of the cost of the approved restoration activity with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event, the USDA says.

For more information on ECP, producers can contact the Point Coupee Parish FSA Office at 225-638-7746 or visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery.