DISASTER RECOVERY

In the aftermath of a disaster, it might seem like there’s no hope. But in fact, a number of resources exist for survivors as well as affected farms and communities. From financial aid to techniques that help restore your land after a fire, we’ve compiled these resources to help get you back on your feet.

"Know your neighbors. Know all of them. And know what resources everybody has. Knowing your neighbors, having that community connection is just everything to us. There’s no way we could still remain in the area, or be doing this, if it wasn’t for that."

Melissa & Austin Lely

Be Well Farm

FINANCIAL AID

Whether you lost your home, property, crops, livestock forage or a job, there are many options that might help you recoup your losses.

Financial Recovery And Support After A Wildfire

In this two part photo blog series, Farmer Campus talked with farm manager David Cooper to hear his wildfire story and get a glimpse into the realities of farming with wildfire and how to recover.

Counting the Losses: Tallying the True Costs of Wildfire for Farmers

In this two part photo blog series, Farmer Campus talked with farm manager David Cooper to hear his wildfire story and get a glimpse into the realities of farming with wildfire and how to recover.

Fire Recovery Assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has multiple agencies that provide financial and/or technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers and rural landowners recover from natural disasters, such as wildfires. Listed are USDA agencies and an overview of applicable programs. Funding for

USDA Disaster Assistance Programs At a Glance

A quick summary of all of FSA (Farm Service Agency) disaster programs and a guide that shows what type of disasters they cover.

Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool

Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you by completing five simple steps.

Insurance Post-Declared Disaster

If you are a property owner and your property is located in an area designated as a disaster by the President of the United States or the Governor, and you cannot locate the insurance policy for the property and are

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 or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property,

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 disaster.

LAND MANAGEMENT POST-DISASTER

Disasters can wreak havoc on your land. How you manage your land in the weeks and months following a disaster will determine well those natural resources recover.

5 Key Wildfire Resilience Practices

It’s not always obvious that some of the ecological farming practices used frequently by farmers, also provide wildfire protection and recovery benefits. Check out the infographic below which was developed by our cross team at CAFF to learn more! Click

Climate Intervention with Biochar

A White Paper about Biochar and Energy (BC&E) for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Emission Reduction (ER).

An Overview of Fire Effects on Soil

Fires in forests and rangelands produce some of the most profound impacts on ecosystems of the Southwest. Wildfires and prescribed fires affect the vegetation, soils, wildlife, and water resources of watersheds. They impose a wide range of effects depending on

Sonoma Biochar Project

Biochar is a specialized form of charcoal that is produced by heating biomass using high heat (typically 350 C to 1000 C) in low-oxygen environments, and that is suitable for use in agriculture. It is commonly used as a soil

Mycoremediation in the Wake of the “Camp” Fire

This video outlines some of the concepts and research of fungal bioremediation and the potential to address fire-borne toxins. Topics covered are the types of environmental pollutants that are generated in forest fires and urban firestorms, how and which fungi

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 trees can be scorched, but the trees remain standing. Where

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. Therefore be extremely alert when around burned trees.

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. Aside from property and aesthetic loss, this can include situations

LIVESTOCK AFTER A DISASTER

Disasters can greatly affect the health of your animals. Help ensure a sound recovery for everyone living on your farm or ranch.

5 Key Wildfire Resilience Practices

Sisikyou Livestock Pass Program

The Siskiyou County University of California Cooperative Extension (“UCCE”) and the Siskiyou County Agricultural Department have established a program, through the issuance of a Livestock Access Pass, which may permit commercial livestock operators to gain entrance to evacuation zones or

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 that grew in the area burned, and intensity of the

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 cattle on burned pastures, and if not, how can I

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 a number of health problems including burning eyes, runny noses

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 due to injury caused by eligible loss conditions. Eligible loss

Produce Safety & Food Recovery

Is your produce safe to eat after a disaster? And how can farmers assist in feeding those in feed? And how do you keep your business going in the aftermath?

Food Safety & Wildfires Case Study: Brisa Ranch

Key Details: Location: San Francisco bay area , near Pescadero Acres in Production: 16 Main Crops: Fruit, vegetables, flowers Wildfire: CZU Complex in 2020 3rd Party Audit(s): USDA Harmonized GAP Certified Organic by National Organic Program: Yes Owners: Cristóbal, Cole,

Natural Product Phenolic Diglycosides Created from Wildfires, Defining Their Impact on California and Oregon Grapes and Wines

This study presents some of the first quantitative measurements of PDs bioaccumulated in premium California and Oregon grapes and wines due to wildfire smoke. Strategies of bioanalytics, oenology, and focused collections of grapes from vineyards exposed to varying smoke were

Food Safety After a Disaster

A comprehensive website from UC Davis featuring many post-disaster resources exploring food safety for producers and consumers alike.

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 the past decade. These are articles that you may want

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 at 0 °F or below. Group foods together in both

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 site that will provide you with useful information so you

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 are left to salvage their lives and belongings. Whether it’s

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 lasted long beyond the fires themselves. The wildfire smoke likely

COMMUNITY RESPONSE & RECOVERY

Tips and resources to help your community work together to ensure an effective, equitable recovery.

Service Providers for Small Farmers – Crowd Sourced

From Farmer Campus, this crowd sourced spreadsheet contains recommendations for farmers to obtain support and connect with agents around disaster and crop insurance, as well as bookkeepers, CPAs, and attorneys.

Protecting Outdoor Workers Exposed to Smoke from Wildfires

Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm health, especially those working outdoors. We know our family famers want to keep their crews safe and healthy. Learn more here and please take all necessary precautions for

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 disaster-caused stress. Please remember that reactions and risk response to disasters

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 strikes.

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 Framework” to serve as a vision and approach for how

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. The purpose of FAC Net is to exchange information, collaborate

Before Disaster Strikes

Is your farm ready for a natural disaster? We know it’s not easy to find time for all of today’s chores, let alone time to prepare for all the events that might or might not happen. But a little preparation now could save you countless hours, heartache, money and even your life and the lives of those you love. Check out these resources to help prepare your home, land, family, animals and community for the very real possibility of disaster.