Maine Natural Resources Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NRDRAP)

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) administers the Maine Natural Resources Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NRDRAP), which provides assistance to eligible producers impacted by severe weather in 2023 and 2024. This effort is supported by the federal Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025. Maine farmers, forestry businesses, and other eligible producers who experienced weather-related losses in 2023 or 2024 may be able to receive assistance through this program and are encouraged to apply.

NRDRAP is designed to help support recovery from eligible losses caused by severe weather, including: crop loss; aquaculture loss; standing timber loss; harvested timber loss; on-farm infrastructure loss; and bare-ground practices necessary to mitigate land loss.

Maine has received $60 million in funding to distribute to Maine producers. Maine successfully advocated for including compensation for infrastructure losses in its program, recognizing that these were among the most devastating losses resulting from weather events in 2023 and 2024.

Eligible producers must have experienced weather-related losses in 2023 or 2024. Key requirements:

• Eligible losses must not have been ones that could have been covered by other existing USDA disaster programs, insurance payouts, or other relief programs.

• Eligible applicants must have ownership or legal authority over the parcel(s) seeking assistance.

• Before receiving payments, applicants will be asked to register as a vendor with the State of Maine.

For timber assistance only, applicants must hire a licensed forester to complete additional required forms (the forester's services are eligible for reimbursement).

Applicants will be eligible for a single payment that shall not exceed 95% of their eligible loss. Upon the closure of the application in November, the Department will determine the payment factor (up to 95%, based on the total loss coverage requested by all eligible applicants and the total $60M available) applied to each applicant's eligible loss calculation. Payments made under NRDRAP are considered taxable income and must be reported on taxes. Applicants must maintain financial and other records related to this program for three (3) years, as required by the USDA.

Complete the application through the online portal at https://maine-dacf.wizehive.app/program/nrdrap/. Paper applications are available at local FSA or UMaine Extension Offices, by request, or as a downloadable PDF. Application period: August 14, 2026 - November 6, 2026. Program staff hold in-person office hours at FSA offices and virtual Zoom office hours during the application window. Applicants do not need to attend a session to apply.