USDA Authorizes Two-Month Deadline Extension for Emergency Conservation Program in Several Wildfire-Impacted Counties

(Lincoln, Neb. - Aug. 24, 2026) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is again extending the application period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in several Nebraska counties impacted by March wildfires. The ECP application period opened in late April. The deadline to apply for assistance is now Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.

ECP is available to address wildfire damage in the following counties:
Morrill Fire: Arthur, Garden, Grant, Keith, Morrill
Cottonwood Fire: Dawson, Lincoln
Road 203 Fire: Blaine, Thomas
Anderson Bridge Fire: Cherry
Ashby and Minor Fires: Grant, Garden

ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farm and ranch land to pre-disaster conditions following a qualifying natural disaster event.

"Our FSA County office staff continue to work with producers impacted by March wildfires. Due to the scope of this historic disaster event, we requested this two-month deadline extension to ensure producers who suffered eligible losses or damages can apply for and receive this critical assistance," said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director for Nebraska.

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

More Information

To learn more about ECP, producers can contact their FSA county office. To submit an ECP application, producers are encouraged to call their FSA county office to schedule an appointment. To find contact information for your local FSA county office or to book an appointment online, use our Office Locator Tool.