The south dakota department of agriculture and natural resources staff will provide technical assistance to landowners who have been affected by natural disasters who could qualify for or are approved…

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R2-Rocky Mountain Region awarded the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources $195,724 on March 16, 2026, under the Forest Stewardship Program (CFDA 10.678) to provide technical assistance to landowners affected by natural disasters who qualify for or are approved for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources will deploy foresters to deliver technical assistance to eligible landowners, ensuring cost-share work meets program specifications before the Farm Service Agency approves payments and forest restoration proceeds. Funded expenses include forester salaries and fringe benefits at a daily rate of $240, totaling $15,850; travel at $1,100; printed materials and supplies at $1,250; and indirect charges of $1,800.

The award runs through December 31, 2029, with performance in South Dakota. Funding flows from the Farm Service Agency to the Forest Service through an interagency agreement.

The south dakota department of agriculture and natural resources staff will provide technical assistance to landowners who have been affected by natural disasters who could qualify for or are approved for the emergency forest restoration program. This project will fund salaries and fringe benefits for the foresters at daily rate of $240 totaling $15,850, travel totaling $1,100, printed materials and supplies totaling $1,250 and indirect charges of $1,800. All funding will be used to assist landowners. This assistance ensures the cost share work is completed to specifications before the farm service agency will approve payments to the landowner and ensuring forest restoration after a natural disaster. Funding for this award is provided by the farm service agency to the forest service.