Volume
4 Issue 12
August 16, 2007
Governor Pawlenty Secures Agricultural Disaster
Declaration
for Counties Impacted by Drought
 Governor
Tim Pawlenty received notice on August 7 from U.S. Secretary of
Agriculture Mike Johanns that 24 Minnesota counties have been
designated as federal agricultural disaster areas due this summer’s
drought. Farmers and ranchers in an additional 32 adjacent counties
will also be eligible for assistance.
The disaster declaration will allow drought-impacted farm
operators to receive low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Emergency loan funds may be used to restore or replace
essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated
with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses,
reorganize the farming operation and refinance certain debts.
“Minnesota farmers and ranchers need this help to deal with the
effects of a largely hot and dry summer that is challenging their
crop and livestock operations,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We greatly
appreciate the prompt work and response by Secretary Johanns and the
USDA.”
The 24 Minnesota counties designated as primary natural disaster
areas are:
|
Aitkin |
Cook |
Kanabec |
Kanabec |
|
Anoka |
Crow Wing |
Lake |
St. Louis |
|
Benton |
Douglas |
Mille Lacs |
Swift |
|
Brown |
Hennepin |
Morrison |
Todd |
|
Carlton |
Hubbard |
Pipestone |
Wadena |
|
Cass |
Itasca |
Pope |
Wright |
The additional 32 Minnesota counties also eligible for assistance
because they are adjacent to the primary counties are:
|
Becker |
Cottonwood |
Lyon |
Redwood |
|
Beltrami |
Dakota |
McLeod |
Renville |
|
Big Stone |
Grant |
Meeker |
Rock |
|
Blue Earth |
Isanti |
Murray |
Scott |
|
Carver |
Kandiyohi |
Nicollet |
Stearns |
|
Chippewa |
Koochiching |
Otter Tail |
Stevens |
|
Chisago |
Lac Qui
Parle |
Pine |
Washington |
|
Clearwater |
Lincoln |
Ramsey |
Watonwan |
While it is too early to predict actual yield losses, there are
confirmed reports of significant forage loss which is of particular
concern to livestock producers.
In addition to federal assistance, the State of Minnesota is
responding to the drought with several low-interest loan programs
and a “Hay List” to help ranchers find forage for cattle.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Low-Interest Loans:
The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority will offer two loan
programs that provide low-cost financing to farmers impacted by
drought conditions.
Once a county obtains a disaster declaration, eligible producers
will be able to apply for the Disaster Assistance Loan Program to
help finance watering, irrigation or other drought mitigation
systems.
Additionally, all producers, regardless of disaster declarations
are eligible to apply for the Loan Restructuring Program designed to
help produces remain in good credit standing with their local
lender, but are having difficulty with cash flow due to adverse
events.
For additional information contact the RFA Office at:
(651) 201-6004 or your local lender.
You can also access information on the web at:
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/divisions/agfinance.htm
|
