USDA’s Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) provides recovery assistance to eligible aquaculture producers for crop and feed losses due to an eligible adverse weather or loss conditions, such as excessive heat or freeze, disease, flooding, hurricanes and wildfires. 

On June 28th, ELAP’s national program manager, Seth Cross, presented a great overview of this free disaster relief program and answered specific questions for aquaculture producers. Contact naa@nationalaquaculture.org anytime for more information and resources. 

View USDA's ELAP FACT SHEET to learn more!

About the Speaker

Seth Cross, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency

Seth Cross currently serves as the National Program Manager for the Emergency Assistance Program for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency's Safety Net Division. Seth graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, with a degree in Business Administration and Finance. Prior to becoming the National Program Manager for ELAP and LIP, Seth served as the National Program Specialist for the Non Insured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), along with starting his career with FSA as a County Executive Director, and working as a State Specialist in Nebraska. Seth grew up on a farm and ranch in Western Nebraska, and has worked for USDA for 19 years.

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bluethumbsconsulting@gmail.com 

(919) 630-4479

Aquaculture Consulting Services and Workshops 

Blue Thumbs Consulting is dedicated to improving aquaculture operations by providing all aspects of system improvement. We are experienced in system design, construction, building, and operations, but specialize in aquaculture workshops, staff training, recruiting, and protocol development. Blue Thumbs Consulting is based in south Florida but can travel to anywhere services are required. 

Check out Blue Thumbs' Youtube Channel!

Consultants at Blue Thumbs Consulting have experience in many aspects of aquaculture including:

• Husbandry of freshwater and marine finfish, live feeds, oysters, clams, shrimp, and micro-algae
• Design, construction, operation, troubleshooting, and filtration maintenance of flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems
• Team management, training, development, and writing standard operating procedures. 
• Aquaculture project and farm management services
• Aquaculture engineering services
• Biosecurity
• Start-up operations
• Technical training & teaching
• Farm-raised product development
• Aquaculture technology 
• Aquaculture production efficiency improvement
• Aquaculture site search & site analysis
• Water testing and analysis
• Disease diagnosis

Our perspective is unique compared to other consultation firms. We offer to develop the client's team as well as any infrastructure improvements needed. We aim to increase productivity and knowledge of the operation for the client and their employees. We do this by on-site assessment to understand the needs and issues the client is experiencing. Once the issues have been identified, we tailor a solution to their needs. Any infrastructure changes or improvements required will be personally supervised until completion. Once the physical improvements are complete, we will provide training and documentation for the client to operate successfully on their own.