USDA designates Florida counties eligible for natural disaster aid

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has announced that the USDA has designated 34 counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to frosts and freezes during this winter and drought over the last 6 months, reports Southeast Ag Net. An additional 28 Florida counties have been designated contiguous natural disaster areas by USDA.
The designation will enable growers in both primary and contiguous counties to be considered for assistance from USDA Farm Service Agency including emergency loans and Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.
Growers in the designated counties have 8 months from Jan. 27, 2011, to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA considers the extent of production losses, security available and repayment ability with each application. Growers are encouraged by Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services to contact their local FSA office for additional information.

Pictured: On Jan. 27, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced that growers in 62 counties are eligible to receive assistance from USDA due to losses from recent freezing temperatures and drought conditions.