Disaster declaration made for Alleghany, 72 other N.C. counties

Farmers in Alleghany County and across much of the state now will be able to apply for low interest loans to cover crop losses due to drought and late freezes this growing season, according to information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said in a news release, "This assistance will provide much needed relief for North Carolina farmers who have suffered from losses due to these natural disasters."

Veneman made the declaration on July 23 for 73 North Carolina counties, making them eligible for disaster assistance. Of those counties, 58 were considered primary disaster areas and 15 were considered contiguous. Alleghany was among the primary affected counties, along with other counties in this area, including Wilkes, Surry, Watauga and Ashe counties. "The designation makes all qualified farm operators in primary and contiguous counties eligible for low-interest EM loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met," the release said. Farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration (July 23) to apply for the loans to help cover their actual losses.

Any loan applications will be processed by the local Farm Service Agency. The agent in charge of handling applications is Vicky Young, farm loan officer.

"We've been notified by the state office just by an email," said Young, noting that the notification came to them on July 23.

Farmers with crops damaged by drought can contact FSA directly and speak with Young. The disaster declaration was made for both the drought conditions and May's late freezes, Young said.

"How they would document their loss depends on what crops they are growing," she said. Annual crops, such as tobacco, require at least a 30 percent loss to apply. The loss would be calculated using this year's market figures after tobacco is sold compared to historic figures.

The Christmas tree loss would be calculated differently. "It is a physical loss, not a production loss," Young said.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back