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October 5, 2009

Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans available

Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack designated 74 counties in Oklahoma as primary disaster areas due to losses caused by combined effects of severe weather, including drought, flood, hail, freeze, fire, and high wind that began Sept. 1, 2008 and ended June 30, 2009. The following counties in Oklahoma were declared primary counties where eligible farmers can apply for emergency loan assistance from the Farm Service Agency: Craig, Delaware, Mayes and Ottawa.

Farm operators in contiguous counties are also eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the FSA. The following counties were named as contiguous counties: Adair, Cherokee, Pushmataha.

Eligible producers, in the designated counties, may apply for emergency loan assistance according to Jared A. Lamb, Farm Loan Manager for Craig, Delaware, Mayes and Ottawa Counties..

Emergency loan funds may be used to purchase seed, fertilizer, fuel, and repairs.

“A farmer can use the money for the most essential operating and living costs,” Lamb said.

To be eligible for a loan, an applicant must have suffered losses as a direct result of the disaster and be unable to get credit from other sources. Loans covering actual losses are at an interest rate of 3.75 percent annum. The amount of the loan is determined by actual certification of loss less any compensation received, repayment capacity of the borrower, and availability of security.

EM loan applications will be received through close of business April 13, 2010. Farmers and ranchers, who believe they can qualify, may contact the Craig County FSA Office at (918)

256-6882 for additional details.

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