USDA offers drought relief

EPHRATA - Due to the ongoing drought, farmers and ranchers in Grant County are eligible to receive federal disaster relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

According to Greg Anderson, FSA County Executive Director in Ephrata, farm programs are available to assist farmers and ranchers.

"Conditions have deteriorated due to this triple-digit heatwave, which has sped up the dryland wheat harvest by two to three weeks," Anderson said. "Significant moisture is needed to improve fall seeding conditions."

A recent Secretary of Agriculture disaster declaration for drought has made available emergency loans from FSA, also. Counties in Washington State reached D2 drought conditions for eight consecutive weeks, triggering the declaration.

Primary counties affected by drought include Adams, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Walla Walla and Yakima. Farmers and ranchers in adjacent counties may be eligible for emergency loans also.

The Emergency Loan program has a maximum loan limit of $500,000 at the current July interest rate for these loans of 3.50 percent percent, with payment terms of up to 40 years.

Farmers and ranchers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the most recent disaster designation to apply for emergency loans. These loans cover real estate, physical loss, chattel and production Loss.

FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

Interested farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm 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.