Georgia Counties Declared Disaster Areas

July 17, 2000

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has declared Georgia and parts of South Carolina and Florida agricultural disaster areas due to drought, making farmers in those areas eligible for emergency low-interest loans. "The devastating effects of last year's historic drought continue to plague many states again this year," said Glickman. "USDA is working to help farmers and ranchers hit hardest by these conditions."

Glickman's disaster declaration covers all of Georgia's 159 counties, 39 of South Carolina's 46 counties and 18 new counties in Florida, bringing the total disaster counties to 59 of the states's 67 counties. All contiguous counties are also covered by the declaration and are eligible for the same benefits.

The designation makes qualified family-sized farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible for emergency low-interest loans from USDA. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for the loans to help cover part of their actual losses. Each loan application is considered on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.

Producers in some Georgia counties may also be eligible for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) which provides cost-share assistance to supply water for livestock and other conservation measures. Almost $1.4 million will be available for the ECP Program in Georgia.

USDA previously approved emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acreage, providing assistance to approved producers whose pastures have been decimated by drought.

For further information, farmers may contact their local Farm Service Agency offices or visit web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/disaster/assistance1.htm