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NEWS
USDA Designates Natural Disaster Areas — Contiguous Louisiana Parishes Included
March 23, 2015
Baton Rouge, La. (March 23, 2015) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared these parishes contiguous natural disaster areas: East Feliciana, St. Helena and Tangipahoa. Washington Parish was also declared a disaster area in three unrelated events. Under these designations, qualified producers in this area are eligible to apply for low interest emergency loans.
East Feliciana, St. Helena and Tangipahoa were declared a natural disaster area effective July 28, 2014 as the result of physical damage and losses caused by high winds and tornadoes that occurred on June 10, 2014. Farmers and ranchers who have suffered severe losses have until March 28, 2015 to apply for emergency assistance with their local FSA Office.
In Washington Parish, these three weather events have resulted in a disaster declaration:
Effective Jan. 12, 2015 and as the result of damage and losses caused by a tornado that occurred on Dec. 16, 2014, emergency loan applications will be received until Sept. 12, 2015 for qualified ranchers and farmers who suffered severe physical losses only.
Effective Jan. 13, 2015 due to production and physical losses caused by severe storms and a tornado beginning and ending on Dec. 23, 2014, emergency loan applications will be received until Sept. 13, 2015 for qualified ranchers and farmers who suffered severe physical losses only.
Effective Jan. 31, 2015 and as the result of damage and losses caused by a tornado on Dec. 23, 2014, emergency loan applications will be received until Oct. 1, 2015 for qualified ranchers and farmers who suffered severe physical losses only.
“Unpredictable weather conditions can wreak havoc on the farming community. This assistance is necessary to help sustain the businesses of our agricultural producers,” said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.
Emergency loans help producers recover from production and physical losses following a drought, flooding and other natural disasters or quarantine. As a general rule, a farmer must have suffered at least a 30 percent loss of production to be eligible for an FSA emergency loan.
Additional programs may be available to assist farmers and ranchers in this area and are encouraged to contact their local FSA Office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
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