Farmers in Coahoma County have been approved to apply for disaster loans to cover crop losses stemming from the heavy rains and prolonged flooding that hit the area this past spring and continued into early summer.
“Emergency loans for farmers, ranchers and operators are available through the Tallahatchie County office of the Farm Service Agency," said David Durham, FSA Farm loan manager.
According to Durham, this authority is pursuant to U.S. Agricultural Sec. Sonny Perdue's declaration on Nov. 7 of a natural disaster in Mississippi caused by excessive rainfall and prolonged flooding that occurred from April 1 to June 30.
Coahoma County is contiguous to the primary natural disaster area and was designated eligible for federal disaster assistance pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
"I appreciate Gov. Phil Bryant's assistance in requesting a disaster designation, and I appreciate Secretary Perdue and USDA for their prompt review and approval of our request. This designation will provide our farmers with needed assistance. I encourage our farmers in designated counties to reach out to their local FSA offices," said Andy Gipson, the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.
Applications for assistance in the disaster-stricken county will be accepted by FSA through July 8, 2019.
Farmers qualifying for emergency loans may borrow up to 100 percent of their actual production loss or the amount needed to restore their operation to its pre-disaster condition, whichever is less, said a press release from the FSA. The new emergency loan and outstanding principal balance of any existing emergency loan owed by the applicant or any individual member of an entity cannot exceed $500,000.
FSA emergency loans cover losses from designated disasters and are made to qualified farmers who cannot obtain credit from other lenders in the local area, said the press release.
Those wanting further information can contact the FSA office in Tallahatchie County at 309 W. Cypress St. in Charleston or call 662-647-8857 or email Durham at david.durham@ms.usda.gov.
