WASHINGTON — Farmers in 59 Virginia counties and surrounding areas can now apply for emergency loans after a series of natural disasters, including drought, freeze, and frost conditions, struck the region.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is making emergency credit available to help agricultural producers recover from the damage. The loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including replacing essential equipment or livestock, restructuring farm operations, or refinancing certain debts.
Counties qualifying for drought-related disaster assistance include: Albemarle, Augusta, Bedford, Carroll, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Franklin, Grayson, Lunenburg, Patrick, Prince Edward, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe, along with the city of Waynesboro.
A separate and longer list of counties is eligible for assistance related to frost and freeze damage. Those counties are: Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Caroline, Clarke, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Giles, Gloucester, Goochland, Greene, Halifax, Hanover, Henry, Highland, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Orange, Page, Pittsylvania, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Stafford, Warren, Washington, and Wise.
Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau, highlighted how farmers can find the help they need. “USDA’s Disaster Assistance Recovery Tool is easy to use and allows farmers to quickly drill down to the emergency program or programs available in the county where they experienced losses,” Banks said.
Banks also warned that the situation could expand. “As the drought progresses, additional localities may be designated as disaster areas,” he said. “I encourage farmers to check the discovery tool regularly or reach out to their local Farm Service Agency office.”
Farmers seeking more information can visit farmers.gov, where they will find the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, a Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and a Loan Assistance Tool to help identify available programs. Those wishing to file a Notice of Loss or learn more about programs can contact their local USDA Service Center. Media inquiries can be directed to Mathew Myers, FSA farm loan specialist, or to Banks at 804-514-5207.
