Putnam among 53 Hoosier counties included in disaster declaration

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday approved a secretarial disaster declaration for 53 of Indiana's 92 counties as requested by Gov. Mike Pence, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Julia A. Wickard in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack in late July.

Putnam County was included in the list of 53 counties, as were the adjacent counties of Clay, Montgomery and Hendricks.

The request came after Indiana farmers suffered significant crop damage and losses caused by flooding and excessive rain since May 1.

"Farms in counties all across the state have suffered because of the excessive rainfall we've experienced during our spring and summer months this year," Gov. Pence said. "I'm thankful to the Indiana Farm Service Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture for recognizing the need for assistance for our Hoosier farmers, and I hope that those affected will apply for the loans they need."

Under the secretarial disaster declaration, low-interest emergency loans are available to all producers suffering losses in the 53 counties for which the secretarial disaster declaration has been approved, as well as in affected contiguous counties.

Lt. Gov. Ellspermann, who also serves as Indiana secretary of agriculture, said she was grateful USDA has approved the request .

"The loans now available to Hoosier farmers will help lessen the financial impact of reduced production from flooded and rain-drenched fields," Ellspermann said. "The Indiana State Department of Agriculture will continue to support farmers in the impacted areas. As we join the State Fair in observing the 'Year of the Farmer,' we especially note how resilient they are in the face of many challenges. They will recover from this difficult year ready to plant and harvest again in 2016."

Farmers interested in applying for loans can visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa and contact their local FSA offices for application details.

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