Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Program 2025-4

The Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Program (LOFFAP) 2025-4 is a grant program administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) aimed at supporting livestock operation landowners and lessees whose infrastructure has been damaged by a wildfire or its associated flooding. The program offers financial assistance to help rebuild essential infrastructure such as fencing, barns, water systems, and other operational structures necessary for continuing livestock operations. The LOFFAP is funded through the Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Fund, which has been allocated $10 million by the legislature, with $9.5 million available for grant awards during the FY 2025 grant cycles. Eligible applicants include landowners and lessees of livestock operations who own over forty animals and whose infrastructure was damaged as a result of a single wildfire or its associated flooding. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a need for repair or reconstruction assistance to continue their operations and confirm that they are either ineligible for, or only partially funded by, other federal or state assistance programs. Applicants are limited to one application per grant cycle and must ensure that the requested funding does not exceed 50% of the total project cost, considering all other funding sources. The maximum award per project is capped at $250,000. The funding can be utilized for the repair or reconstruction of essential infrastructure, including but not limited to fencing, water systems, barns, and corrals. However, it cannot be used for the purchase of heavy equipment, housing, vehicles, or general maintenance tasks unrelated to the direct operations of the livestock operation. Furthermore, the grant cannot be used for infrastructure that was non-operational or nonexistent prior to June 1, 2019. Projects on state or federal lands must secure the necessary land management agency approvals before submitting the application. The application process includes downloading the application packet from the designated LOFFAP webpage, completing required forms such as the Infrastructure Project Proposal, Budget Form, and Attestation Form, and submitting the application online via the eCivis Portal. Applications must be received no later than 11:59:59 p.m. (MST) on June 27, 2025, for the 2025-4 grant cycle. Applications are reviewed based on General Rating Criteria and Infrastructure Project Proposal Rating Criteria, with recommendations made by the LOFFAP Evaluation Team. Final award decisions are at the discretion of the AZDA Director. Notification of awards will be sent via email after the evaluation process, and successful applicants must sign a Grant Agreement with AZDA to receive funds. Grant recipients are responsible for maintaining comprehensive records of all communications, expenses, and reports related to the project for five years following project completion. Funds will primarily be disbursed on a reimbursement basis, with up to 50% of the grant amount available for advance payment under specific conditions. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Marty Suter at the Arizona Department of Agriculture, 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, AZ 85007, or via email at msuter@azda.gov or phone at (602) 396-8365. Further instructions and forms are accessible at the LOFFAP solicitation webpage: http://tinyurl.com/LOFFAP2025-1.

Ensure infrastructure project costs are well-documented with estimates or quotes. Verify eligibility, particularly for partially funded projects under other federal/state programs.