News

53 counties receive disaster declaration

Indiana farmers that have suffered crop losses from excessive rainfall and flooding can breathe a little easier.

Farm Service Agency state executive director Julia Wickard says USDA has approved the requested disaster declaration.  “The three words I’m going with today are ‘We got it’,” she says.  “Today we received word from Secretary Vilsack’s office that designated 53 counties in Indiana as primary natural disaster areas.  And those contiguous counties around those counties are also eligible.”

She tells Brownfield that means farmers that may not be able to obtain traditional credit elsewhere are eligible for low-interest loans.  “They can come in and apply and potentially be able to keep farming next year,” she says.  “So that is exciting.”

Wickard says if farmers are in one of the 53 designated counties or in a contiguous county and are in need of assistance – they should visit their county FSA office.  “We can give them the application materials and we have fact sheets that explain the eligibility and the criteria needed,” she says.  “Most loans are 1-7 years with up to 20 years being the end date and up to $500,000 available credit for those loans.”

A release from Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly says he welcomed the news noting many Hoosier farmers are facing tough times because of the potential crop losses.  “Thousands of Hoosier farmers are going to experience significant financial losses this year as a result of the record-breaking rain, and this disaster declaration will allow for resources to be made available to these counties to help deal with crop losses,” he says.