VIDALIA — Concordia Parish farmers received a bit of good news Thursday morning when state and federal U.S. Department of Agriculture officials arrived in Vidalia promising disaster relief in case of an emergency.

“We came to reassure you that you are not in this alone,” State Director for USDA Rural Development in Louisiana Clarence Hawkins said. “We have an investment in the welfare of this community.”

Hawkins was in town along with Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services Michael Scuse, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain and Louisiana State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency Willie Cooper.

The group toured the area and took questions from farmers about what to do in case of an emergency.

“What we saw when we toured the area this morning was of great concern,” Scuse said. “Between the river flooding and the droughts in the area affecting the crops, there is a lot to be concerned about.”

Tonsager said he and Scuse are doing their best to learn the area so that they can better address any needs that may arise in Concordia Parish.

“We are trying to learn as much as we can while we are here,” he said. “Rural development is going to be here for the long run, and we are going to do what we can to keep the community running.”

While no disaster has struck, Scuse said the first step farmers should take to prepare for an emergency is to contact their farm insurance agent as soon as possible.

“You want to try and do everything you can so claims are done properly,” he said.

Scuse also urged farmers to contact their local Farm Service Agency agent as soon as they have any damage to report.

Strain also reminded farmers to take good records of any damages and expenses they incur in case of an emergency.

“You need to have as much information recorded as you can,” he said. “That makes the process easier for everyone.”

Scuse wanted to remind farmers that the assistance only applies to farmers that are insured.

“If you do not have insurance, you are in trouble,” he said.

Scuse said farmers who do not have insurance need to contact the LSU AgCenter about any possible losses they may incur during a disaster.

Some farmers have seen damage to their crops even though an emergency has not occured, and questions arose from farmers as to exactly what types damage the USDA would assist with.

LSU AgCenter’s Concordia Parish County Agent Glen Daniels said approximately 1,000 acres of crops in the parish have been damaged from seepage water from the levees.

Daniels asked the USDA officials if these farmers would be able to receive assistance for their losses.

“As long as they have crop insurance, that will cover it for now,” Scuse said.

The high water levels have also began to push area wildlife closer to area farms, and may farmers are experiencing problems with local wildlife, especially deer, eating their crops.

Scuse said the USDA cannot help fund losses for this concern, but there are ways to help get rid of the problem.

“One thing we are seeing is people putting out feeders away from their crops,” he said. “This has taken some of the deer away from the area.”

Strain said that no one can shoot the deer eating and rooting their crops, because they are a protected species when it is not hunting season.

Scuse said the threat of possible crop loss and damage would be a frustrating blow to the area, because commodity prices for 2011 have been so good.

“With these prices, at the end of the year there was going to be money in the bank,” he said.

Strain said both Concordia Parish and Louisiana face a tough road, but the local, state and federal officials will be around to help along the way.