Connecticut Governor Rell Announces Low-Interest Loans for Farmers Affected by Severe April Nor’easter

June 25, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced today that farmers who suffered losses as a result of the severe April 15 nor’easter will be eligible for low-interest emergency loans as a result of the emergency declaration issued at the Governor’s request by President Bush.

Farmers in any of Connecticut’s eight counties may borrow up to $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency to cover actual production or physical losses. The funds are being made available under the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2007, which will provide up to $3 billion for farmers and ranchers who have faced agricultural disasters in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

“Governments, property and business owners were not the only ones affected by the terrible April storm,” Governor Rell said. “Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar business in Connecticut, producing everything from milk to Christmas trees, and the flooding and high winds took their toll on farmers as well. With these loans our farmers will be able to make necessary repairs and put their affairs back in order.”

The Agricultural Assistance Act provides funding for several USDA programs, including the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Under the terms of the Act, producers who incurred losses in more than one of the covered years must choose only one year in which to take benefits. Only producers who obtained crop insurance coverage or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the year of loss will be eligible for assistance. ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters.

The USDA is advising farmers to check with their local Farm Service Agency or USDA offices for further information. The agency is currently developing software for processing payments, but farmers should contact FSA now to ensure the agency is aware of their losses.

Source: Connecticut Governor