Farmers Eligible For Loans

RICHMOND — Farmers in 49 Virginia counties who suffered losses from last year’s excessive heat and drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency emergency loans.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently designated localities affected by the extreme weather as primary natural disaster areas, allowing recovering farmers to apply for emergency credit.
The loans can be used for replacing livestock, equipment and other essential items; refinancing debt; and reorganizing farming operations.
“The declaration helps farmers obtain emergency loans that they can use to pay for farm and other expenses incurred during the 2019 disaster, which the disaster-related losses prevented them from paying themselves,” explained Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.
While many are still recuperating from last year’s extreme heat and drought, recent rains have brought much needed relief. The most current USDA crop report found precipitation has been up for the year, with some areas experiencing rain levels 30 percent above normal. Though most Virginia farmers welcome the rain, some have reported oversaturated fields.
“In some areas farmers have experienced flooding to varying degrees,” Banks said. “As long as the ground doesn’t become sodden, perennial crops like orchards and hay should do well.”
Temperatures this winter have been mild, providing relief to farmers who have hay supply shortages. However, the back-and-forth of warm and cool weather is confusing some crops, particularly those in southern Virginia.