El Paso, Doa Ana Counties Designated Primary Natural Disaster Areas
In response to one of the worst droughts in more than a century, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared El Paso County and all its surrounding counties as primary natural disaster areas.
In addition to excessive heat and high winds, wildfires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in Texas.
?Many producers have lost their crops due to the devastation caused by the drought and wildfires,? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release. ?President Obama and I want these farmers and ranchers to know that we will support them through the recovery process and help them once again become productive suppliers of food, fiber and fuel that keep America prospering. This designation will help provide that support.?
Beginning Jan. 1, persisting drought and wildfires have damaged 30 percent or more of forage crops, pasture, corn, oats and wheat in 213 Texas counties, including El Paso, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Reeves, Loving and Presidio counties, as well as Doa Ana, Otero, Roosevelt, Curry, and Eddy counties in New Mexico.
Eligible farm operators in the designated natural disaster areas can receive low-interest emergency loans ? to help cover part of actual losses ? from USDA?s Farm Service Agency, according to the news release. Farmers in eligible counties have until Feb. 24, 2012, to apply for loans.
Even though FSA will consider granting emergency loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability, it has a variety of programs to help eligible farmers. For a list of programs made available to assist farmers and ranchers, visit http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
