Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829
Lana Walden, Vermont Farm Service Agency, (802) 658-2803

Monday, October 27, 2008

COLCHESTER, VT – Harvey Smith, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Vermont today announced that all counties in the State have been designated as natural disaster areas because of severe weather events, including excessive rain, flooding, flash flooding, high winds, hail, lightning, tornadoes that occurred in June through August 2008.

"I'm pleased that USDA can offer assistance to farmers and ranchers who have struggled with severe weather conditions," said Smith. "This agriculture disaster designation will enable eligible producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans from USDA to help cover their losses."

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas echoed Smith’s sentiments.

"I am pleased that the USDA has responded to our request for assistance. Excessive rains, flooding and high winds this growing season have made it a more challenging year for farmers in Vermont and this assistance is needed and very much appreciated," said Governor Douglas. "Helping our farmers recover from the hardships caused by extreme weather will help to preserve Vermont's important agricultural economy."

According to Smith, all counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas on Oct. 22, 2008, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

USDA has also made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

FSA news releases are available on FSA’s Web site at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov via the “News and Events” link.