Washington,
February 23, 2015
|
Mary Carpenter
(202-834-0386)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Farmers impacted by last year’s severe drought in some South Georgia Counties are now eligible for assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Atkinson, Coffee and Ware Counties were designated by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack as primary natural disaster areas due to production losses caused by dry weather and drought last year. Additionally, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Pierce and Telfair Counties have been named as contiguous disaster counties.
“This declaration makes available resources to those hit hardest by the drought and dry weather we’ve been experiencing,” Carter said. “I urge those who have experienced production losses to contact their FSA office for more information about assistance.”
The declaration provides 8 months for farmers in affected areas to apply for assistance, including FSA emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.
