All posts in Farm Resilience

Burned Oaks: Which Will Survive?

Burned Oaks: Which Will Survive?

Each year fires burn thousands of acres where the predominant vegetation is oak tress and grass. Where fires burn intensely, trees can be totally consumed. In other places, leaves on […]

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Seeding After a Fire

Seeding After a Fire

After a fire many trees are weakened from burning around the base of the trunk. The trees can fall over or blow down without warning. Shallow-rooted trees can also fall. […]

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Planned Herbivory in the Management of Wildfire Fuels

Planned Herbivory in the Management of Wildfire Fuels

Grazing is most effective at treating smaller diameter live fuels that can greatly impact the rate of spread of a fi re along with the flame height. Wildfires are increasing […]

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To Graze or Not To Graze

To Graze or Not To Graze

Determining when to graze livestock after a fire can be a controversial and sometimes difficult decision. Much of the post-fire consideration depends upon site characteristics (percent slope, soil type), plants […]

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Smoky Character in Wines

Smoky Character in Wines

Smoke flavors in grapes and wine were a concern in the 2008 growing season following the Mendocino Lightning Fires of June 20-July 20. Most research has been done in Australia during […]

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Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies

Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies

Power Outages, Floods & Fire. Keep an appliance thermometer in both the refrigerator and freezer. Make sure the refrigerator temperature is at 40 °F or below and the freezer is […]

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Coping with Disaster

Coping with Disaster

This page offers disaster survivors information regarding dealing with the emotional effects of the event.  Below you will find guidance on recognizing the signs of and minimizing the impact of […]

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Helping Children Cope with Disaster

Helping Children Cope with Disaster

This booklet offers parents, caregivers, and other adults suggestions on how to help children cope with the effects of disaster, as well as how to be prepared before a disaster […]

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Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance

Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance

SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged […]

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Wildfire Insurance 101

Wildfire Insurance 101

Have you ever gone on a family vacation for more than two weeks, during which you lived out of a suitcase? If your family is anything like mine, it can […]

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Wildfires: Flood Insurance

Wildfires: Flood Insurance

Floods are the most common and costly natural hazard in the nation. After a wildfire, the flood risk increases significantly. The time to buy flood insurance is now. Homeowners, renters and business owners […]

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After the Fires: Hydrophobic Soils

After the Fires: Hydrophobic Soils

Fire is a natural and important environmental factor that has affected virtually all western U.S. forests at one time or another. However, there are situations where fire can be catastrophic. […]

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Community Wildfire Protection Plans

Community Wildfire Protection Plans

This series offers a set of lessons learned concerning the collaborative processes that influence and guide the development of community wildfire protection plans (CWPPs) under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act […]

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Communities at Risk

Communities at Risk

To help protect people and their property from potential catastrophic wildfire, the National Fire Plan directs funding to be provided for projects designed to reduce the fire risks to communities. […]

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Fire-Resistant Plants for Landscapes

Fire-Resistant Plants for Landscapes

As homeowners continue to build in the wild and urban interface, they must take special precautions to protect their homes. One way to do this is to create a defensible […]

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Firewise USA

Firewise USA

NFPA’s Firewise USA® program teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses. Join the growing network […]

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A Land Manager’s Guide for Creating Fire-Resistant Forests

A Land Manager’s Guide for Creating Fire-Resistant Forests

This publication provides an overview of how various silvicultural treatments affect fuel and fire behavior, and how to create fire-resistant forests. In properly treated, fire-resistant forests, fire intensity is reduced […]

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Recovering from Wildfire, Healing the Land

Recovering from Wildfire, Healing the Land

There’s a human impulse to rebuild, to resume life as it was. In nature, there is the cycle of regeneration that comes after a fire. While our instinct tells us […]

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Animals in Disaster online training course, FEMA

Animals in Disaster online training course, FEMA

This course is intended to help animal owners, care providers, and industries to understand incident management. The objectives of this course are to increase awareness and preparedness among animal owners […]

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Guide to Disaster Preparedness: Ag & Natural Resources

Guide to Disaster Preparedness: Ag & Natural Resources

When disasters strike, animals as well as people need to be safely relocated. This guide is intended to provide useful information about developing a disaster response plan, about disaster preparedness […]

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Family Emergency Plan (en español)

Family Emergency Plan (en español)

Plan de Comunicaciones Familiares – Es probable que su familia no esté junta cuando ocurra un desastre, de modo que deben plani˜car cómo se van a comunicar y decidir de […]

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Family Emergency Communication Plan

Family Emergency Communication Plan

This document outlines three steps to take to create your Family Emergency Communication Plan: collect contact information for your family and other important contacts; make sure everyone carries a copy […]

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Crop Insurance, USDA

Crop Insurance, USDA

Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, including farmers, ranchers and others to protect against either the loss of their crops due to natural disasters, or the loss of revenue […]

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FEMA: Disaster Assistance

FEMA: Disaster Assistance

If you are a disaster survivor, you may qualify for federal assistance. This site helps to identify services during a disaster and apply for federal disaster assistance immediately after a […]

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Office of Recovery and Resiliency

Office of Recovery and Resiliency

Sonoma County was har hit by recent fires however they have become a model for resilience and innovation. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have approved the “Recovery and Resiliency […]

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Tips for Handling Food Following a Disaster

Tips for Handling Food Following a Disaster

If any type of unexpected emergency strikes your community, you may not have access to fresh food, water or electricity for days, maybe weeks. This web page is a portal […]

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Fires and Food Safety, USDA

Fires and Food Safety, USDA

Fire! Few words can strike such terror. Residential fires are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Some 2 million American homes go up in flames yearly. In the aftermath of fire, people […]

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Produce Safety after Wildfire

Produce Safety after Wildfire

The fires that spread through Northern California in October 2017 burned over 160,000 acres of wildland, suburban, urban and industrial areas, creating dangerous air quality conditions for the region that […]

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When Wildfire Hits the Ranch: Lessons Learned

When Wildfire Hits the Ranch: Lessons Learned

Just as quickly as the Thomas Fire swept through parts of our community, the questions started flooding my office: Should we prune our burned avocado trees? Can I graze my […]

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HALTER Project

HALTER Project

The HALTER Project provides first responders and their communities with information and resources for animal emergencies. In any situation: road accident, fire, flood, earthquake, landslide, or pasture, the best outcome for […]

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Wildfires, Smoke & Livestock

Wildfires, Smoke & Livestock

Severe wildfires expose humans and animals to injuries both from burns and inhalation of unhealthy air containing smoke and particulates. These particulates can build up in the respiratory system, causing […]

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Video: Assessing Fire Damaged Landscapes

NRCS Assessing fire damaged landscapes video

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Post-Fire Disaster Publications, USDA

Post-Fire Disaster Publications, USDA

Contour Sandbags, Dikes, Diversion, Erosion Control Mats, Hand Raking, Hazard Tree Removal, Hillside Home, Drainage, Hydromulching, Log Erosion Barriers, Sandbag Barrier, Seeding.

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Post Fire Restoration: Dos & Don’ts

Post Fire Restoration: Dos & Don’ts

While it’s difficult to stand by and “do nothing” it’s important that we do the right things post fire. This tip sheet, especially the Don’ts section, provides invaluable guidance on […]

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After the Burn: Managing Forestland After a Wildfire

After the Burn: Managing Forestland After a Wildfire

A comprehensive guide for managing your forestland after a burn, including an assessment tool, emergency rehabilitation, and post fire management practices. 

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NRCS Disaster Recovery Assistance

NRCS Disaster Recovery Assistance

From floods to drought, fire or hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers, landowners and communities through a variety of USDA programs. If you are an agricultural producer […]

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NRCS Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative

NRCS Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative

The purpose of the Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative, offered by NRCS, is to provide immediate resource protection in areas burned by catastrophic fires. Priority resource concerns include immediate soil erosion […]

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Navigating Disaster Assistance for Farmers

Navigating Disaster Assistance for Farmers

Assistance from federal programs can make a world of difference for farmers after a disaster. The next few pages outline current disaster programs, all of which are available to farmers. […]

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USDA Post-Fire Disaster Assistance Directory by County

USDA Post-Fire Disaster Assistance Directory by County

Wildfires, especially those caused by human activity, can take a tragic toll on the people and landscape affected. In California the wildfire season is typically followed by the rainy season […]

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Livestock Forage Disaster Program

Livestock Forage Disaster Program

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage (native […]

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Livestock Indemnity Program

Livestock Indemnity Program

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to provide benefits to eligible livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or reduced sale prices for owned livestock […]

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Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish. It covers losses due to an eligible […]

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Tree Assistance Program

Tree Assistance Program

Provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines lost by natural disasters. Eligible trees, bushes, and vines are those […]

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Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program

NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

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Emergency Conservation Program

Emergency Conservation Program

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation during severe […]

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FSA Emergency Farm Loans

FSA Emergency Farm Loans

When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or a quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA’s Emergency loan program is there to […]

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Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

The Network connects and supports people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire, a catalyst for spreading best practices and innovations in fire adaptation concepts nationwide. […]

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Farm Emergency Checklist & Contact Form

Farm Emergency Checklist & Contact Form

Protecting your farm involves a number of considerations – family members, co-workers or employees, buildings, equipment, livestock, and crops. Planning ahead for all-hazard situations can help to minimize the impact […]

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Landscape Debris Burning Safety

Landscape Debris Burning Safety

During certain times of the year and in certain parts of the state, residential landscape debris burning of dead vegetation is allowed. However, homeowners should always check with their local fire […]

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Developing a Wildfire Plan for Livestock

Developing a Wildfire Plan for Livestock

With the fires raging across the state, we are reminded once again of the risk wildfire poses to all of our farms and ranches. It is a good time to […]

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Correct Potential Hazards Before a Disaster

Correct Potential Hazards Before a Disaster

Identify hazards in advance! During and right after a disaster, any household item that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire becomes a home hazard. To minimize possible danger, […]

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Purchasing a Back-Up Generator for the Farm

Purchasing a Back-Up Generator for the Farm

Feeling the effects of disasters has made farmers consider the purchase of a gasoline-powered generator to run household appliances and perform farm-related tasks. Knowing how to use generators safely is […]

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Family Escape Plan

Family Escape Plan

Do you know how to escape from your home if it’s on fire? During a true emergency, the simplest of things, like leaving your home, can become very difficult. In […]

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Saving the Whole Family

Saving the Whole Family

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed this booklet to help you avoid having to leave your animals stranded in the event of a disaster or an evacuation. Tornadoes, […]

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Webinar: Saving the Ranch

Wildfire preparedness tips from a firefighter, veterinarian, and ranch owner. Presented by the UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security and the Halter Project.

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Disaster Planning for Livestock

Disaster Planning for Livestock

Transporting livestock animals to safety when disaster strikes can be difficult. Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it is particularly important for livestock because of the animals’ size […]

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Creating Wildfire Adapted Homes & Landscapes

Creating Wildfire Adapted Homes & Landscapes

What Can Be Done to Reduce Structure Loss from Wildfire? Treating the Vegetation: Defensible Space. Protecting Homes through Better Design and Materials. Defensible Space as Management Zones. Can the Fire […]

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Fire Forward: Building Ecosystem Resilience Together

Fire Forward: Building Ecosystem Resilience Together

Fire Forward, a program of Audubon Canyon Ranch, brings a unique blend of science-based program design and community organizing as it seeks to become a model of fire-adapted communities tending […]

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Video: Waterways on Fire Damaged Landscapes

Steep burned hillsides can be unstable in heavy rains, increasing the risk of landsides. To avoid this outcome, use wattles as described above to keep soil from moving downhill and […]

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How to Recover Fire Damaged Grapevines

How to Recover Fire Damaged Grapevines

Fire-damaged crops must be tended to carefully and consistently, or you risk losing them altogether. This is especially true for very sensitive crops like grapevines. The recovery process for a […]

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Wildfire & Rangeland Management: Mediating Impacts to Conservation & Ranching

Wildfire & Rangeland Management: Mediating Impacts to Conservation & Ranching

A series of presentations from California ranchers, technical advisors, and researchers on wildfire risk management in rangelands. From the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition.

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Fire Survivor: Melissa & Austin Lely, Bee-Well Farms

Fire Survivor: Melissa & Austin Lely, Bee-Well Farms

College sweethearts Melissa and Austin Lely knew they wanted to make a life together not just living off the land, but giving back to it. So after graduating from Chico […]

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Fire Survivor: David Cooper, Oak Hill Farm

Fire Survivor: David Cooper, Oak Hill Farm

About Oak Hill Farm For seven decades, Oak Hill Farm has used sustainable agricultural practices on about 25 acres of farmland and has protected hundreds of acres of native oak […]

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