The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Vermont counties as natural disaster areas making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.

“As we head into the long Vermont winter, this declaration will help assure that farmers facing feed shortages are able to apply for much-needed relief,” said Chuck Ross, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture. “I’d like to thank our congressional delegation, and Governor Shumlin, for their support in obtaining this declaration on behalf of Vermont farmers. And I’d like to commend farmers for being proactive and reporting their losses. By doing so, they’ve helped to insure we were able to secure this important resource.”

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses caused by excessive rains and flooding that began May 5, 2013, and continuing throughout the cropping season.

Robert Paquin, USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director said ,“Secretary Vilsack and President Obama are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by assisting America’s farmers and rural communities through difficult times. also telling Vermont producers that USDA stands with them and their communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

Source - http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/