Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Program

The Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Program (LOFFAP), administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA), is a state-funded initiative designed to support landowners and lessees operating livestock operations who have experienced infrastructure damage due to wildfires or related flooding. Established through legislative authority under A.R.S. § 3-109.03, the program's primary mission is to facilitate the reconstruction of essential livestock infrastructure to sustain agricultural productivity and economic viability following catastrophic natural events. A total of $9.5 million is available for the Fiscal Year 2026 LOFFAP grant cycles, derived from a broader legislative appropriation of $10 million to the Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Fund. LOFFAP targets non-governmental infrastructure projects on privately owned lands or state and federally leased lands managed by private individuals. Eligible applicants must demonstrate ownership of at least forty livestock animals annually over the past three years and must substantiate that the infrastructure damage was caused by a single wildfire or the flooding directly associated with it. The program is designed to provide reimbursement funding of up to 50% of the total project cost, capped at a maximum grant amount of $250,000. The infrastructure projects must be limited in duration to two years, with eligibility extending retroactively to damages incurred on or after July 1, 2019. Infrastructure covered under this grant includes essential fixed installations such as fencing, corrals, water wells, stock tanks, water distribution systems, pipelines, and other critical elements necessary for livestock operations. Ineligible uses of funds include general maintenance, purchase of heavy equipment, replacement of non-operational infrastructure predating June 1, 2019, construction of entirely new infrastructure, housing or decorative items, and any infrastructure mandated by regulatory enforcement. Additionally, the grant cannot be used in cases where the applicant has already received or is fully eligible to receive compensation through other federal or state disaster recovery programs. The application process is detailed and requires completion of several forms including an attestation form (notarized), infrastructure project proposal, detailed budget, verification forms from land management agencies, and visual documentation such as maps and photographs of the project site. Applications must be submitted electronically via the eCivis portal, and incomplete or late applications will be rejected. For the 2026-3 cycle, the application deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. MST on Friday, March 27, 2026. Submissions are reviewed through a two-stage process: initial screening by LOFFAP staff against general rating criteria, followed by evaluation and ranking by a multi-disciplinary evaluation team using a specific proposal rating rubric. Successful applicants will enter into a formal grant agreement with AZDA and will be required to comply with quarterly reporting, site visits, and final reporting requirements. Funding is typically disbursed on a reimbursement basis, though applicants may request up to 50% of grant funds in advance with appropriate justification. All awarded projects must comply with local, state, and federal permitting regulations. Ground-disturbing activities require clearance from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). If awarded funds are not used due to disapproval from land management agencies or are misused, repayment is required. Contact for the program includes Marty Suter and Ashley Estes at AZDA, with dedicated program emails and phone support available. With quarterly cycles and clearly defined deadlines, LOFFAP is a recurring opportunity for livestock operators facing recovery needs after fire and flood events. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan thoroughly, review all guidelines, and consult with agency contacts to ensure successful and compliant submissions.

Clearly document wildfire/flood damage, use before/after photos, follow SHPO permitting rules, and ensure budget items are eligible infrastructure costs.