Program Summary

The Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (Division B of the American Relief Act, 2025 (the Act; P.L. 118-158)) provides financial assistance to producers. On behalf of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has agreed to provide $1.2 M in funding (Relief Funds) to the State of Alaska for distribution to Eligible Peony Producers that suffered eligible losses because of weather events occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Eligibility

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture (DoAg), through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), will be providing cost assistance to Alaska Peony Producers who meet the eligibility criteria for eligible weather events in 2023 and/or 2024 for peony rootstock and their future economic loss. This funding will be available to eligible peony producers who experienced an eligible loss from an eligible weather event(s) that occurred between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. Reimbursement rates will be determined after all applications are processed, and payments will be based on a formula* approved by the FSA.

1. An eligible producer is a producer located in a borough or an unorganized borough in Alaska that suffered an eligible loss as a direct result of a weather event in 2023 or 2024 and had an ownership share and a production risk in the peonies. In addition, an Eligible Producer is a person or legal entity that must be
   • citizen of the United States;
   • resident alien; for purposes of this part, resident alien means “lawful alien” as defined in 7 CFR part 1400;
   • partnership consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States;
   • corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under State law consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States; or
   • Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in section 4(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
2. An eligible weather event means any weather that resulted in partially damaged peony rootstock and/or total loss of peony rootstock. Eligible weather events could include abnormal rainfall immediately prior to or after dormancy periods, resulting in root saturation/degradation; the lack of normal snowfall, resulting in a snow drought that impacts the ground insulation necessary to protect peony rootstock; or winter freeze/thaw events that break the rootstock's dormancy period before spring.
3. An eligible loss refers to the following as a direct result of an eligible weather event:
   • Peony Replanting - must have suffered a loss greater than 2% damage to the peony rootstock in inventory on the farm.
   • Peony Future Economic Loss - is the real economic loss of peony flowers that will be sustained for multiple years.

*Formula

1. Peony replant total:
   • Total # of Peony Plants eligible x $30/rootstock x Payment Factor-Reduction = $Total Reimbursement
2. Future Economic Loss total:
   • Year 1: 100% production loss – Total # of plants x $15 = Year 1 Reimbursement
   • Year 2: 95% production loss – 95% Total (.95) x $15 = Year 2 Reimbursement
   • Year 3: 80% production loss – 80% Total (.80) x $15 = Year 3 Reimbursement
   • Year 4: 5% production loss – 5% Total (0.05) x $15 = Year 4 Reimbursement
Total: (Year 1 Reimbursement + Year 2 Reimbursement + Year 3 Reimbursement + Year 4 Reimbursement) x Payment Factor – Reduction = $Total Reimbursement

Payments

• The payment factor (percentage) will be determined when all applications have been reviewed for accuracy and received.
• After the review period, a determination will be made on the percentage of eligible loss that each producer will receive. Shortly thereafter, the eligible producer will be notified of their funding amounts.
• After July 1, 2026, peony replant payments will be paid out in one lump sum payment.
• Future economic loss payments will be disbursed at a later date but may occur after the confirmation of the replanting in the form of a site visit if determined necessary by the State.

Note 1: The reduction is the amount of funds received from other federal, state, and non-profit grant awards and/ or funds received by insurance claims for losses claimed on this application.

Application Period

The application period is open from April 10, 2026, through May 15, 2026. To be considered for this program, an application must be complete and received or postmarked no later than May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.

How to Apply

Complete the Peony Disaster Relief Program application and email it, along with supporting documentation, to dag.scbg@alaska.gov with the subject line: “Peony Disaster Relief Program and Applicant Name.”

Please note that documentation will be required to support the claim, and a site visit may be necessary for final payment of funds.

• Documentation that supports ownership of a peony farm in Alaska, e.g., Tax documents (Schedule F), bank documents, business entity documents, or license, etc.
• Invoices, copy of receipts for peony rootstock (if replanted in 2024 and/or 2025)
• Completed W-9 or provide State of AK Vendor number
• Written description of the weather event that qualifies their claim.
• Documentation to support the statement of inventory of peony rootstock prior to an eligible weather event, including photos, journal entries, sworn statements, or other items.
• Documentation to support the statement of inventory of peony rootstock lost as a result of an eligible weather event, including photos, journal entries, or other items.

Contact Us

For questions about the Peony Disaster Relief Program for Peony Producers, please contact:
Mia Kirk, Natural Resource Manager II, at 907-761-3866 or mia.kirk@alaska.gov