The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 27 of California’s 58 counties as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by extreme drought.
The designated counties in the Central Valley are Fresno; Merced; Kern; San Joaquin; Kings; Sacramento; Madera; Tulare; and Stanislaus.
Other counties designated are Alameda; Mariposa; San Benito; Alpine; Inyo; San Bernardino; Amador; Mono; Calaveras; Monterey; San Luis Obispo; Contra Costa; Los Angeles; Santa Barbara; El Dorado; Santa Clara; Tuolumne and Ventura.
Farmer and ranchers in all counties designated as natural disaster areas may qualify for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Counties that are contiguous to the primary disaster counties declared also qualify for USDA natural disaster assistance.
The agency will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The maximum amount for an EM loan is $500,000.
“Just about everyone in California agriculture has been negatively affected by drought this year,” said Val Dolcini, Farm Service Agency state executive director. “California’s diverse farmers and ranchers of all sizes and backgrounds have experienced drought conditions and water shortages and may find help at FSA offices.”
Farmers and ranchers in designated counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for the loan to help cover part of their actual losses.
The Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program may also help restore conversation-related farm property and facilities. And the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program is available for producers who have enrolled in this annual protection program prior to the deadline earlier this year.
USA - USDA names California counties for drought disaster assistance
