WASHINGTON – Farmers in more than a dozen North Alabama counties are eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency loan and disaster assistance programs, Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced.
The programs will help crop and livestock producers in Alabama recover financially from the prolonged drought affecting the state. Tuberville (R-Auburn) is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
“Farmers and producers are the backbone of Alabama’s economy,” said Tuberville. “Unfortunately, many are struggling in the face of a severe drought this year. I encourage our affected growers and producers to take advantage of these USDA programs.
“We have to make sure our farmers have the resources they need to continue growing our nation’s food and fibers.”
Sixteen Alabama counties are experiencing extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is updated weekly. According to USDA, 26 counties across the state are eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance and agricultural disaster assistance programs.
Eligibility for these programs is based on the U.S. Drought Monitor for producers in counties described as having D2 (severe drought) conditions for at least eight consecutive weeks; or either D3 (extreme drought) conditions at any time during the normal grazing period.
The following counties are listed as experiencing D2 or D3 drought conditions, which makes them eligible for the two programs: Butler, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Blount, Calhoun, Cleburne, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Etowah, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Marion, Monroe, Walker, Wilcox, and Winston.
Congress provided permanent authorization and funding for several agricultural disaster assistance programs under USDA FSA, including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, in the 2014 Farm Bill.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program offers support to producers in eligible counties who have suffered grazing losses due to a qualifying drought. A USDA fact sheet for the program, with information on eligibility and payment calculations, is available here.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program covers losses associated with additional costs of transporting water, hauling feed, or hauling livestock to alternative feeding locations. A fact sheet is available here.
FSA, among other things, provides services related to loans and disaster assistance programs. To find a local FSA office visit this site: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
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