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Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Amid drought, Utah is offering up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help farmers
Irrigation systems water crops near St. George, Utah. (Photo by) The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced it has up to $2 million in low-interest loans available to help farmers who are struggling due to drought. The department issued a news release on Tuesday to raise awareness of the availability of the loans through the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan program. State officials said loans are available to eligible agricultural producers in 17 counties named in an executive order Gov. Spencer Cox issued last month due to drought, including: Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Washington and Wayne counties. Utah Gov. Cox issues drought executive order, urges Utahns to conserve water Eligible farmers can apply for seven-year loans of up to $100,000 each, with two years of no interest and 2.75% interest thereafter, according to the department. Applications for the loans will be accepted until Oct. 23. 'Utah's agricultural producers are on the front lines of drought impacts, facing difficult decisions as water scarcity threatens crops, livestock, and long-term viability,' Commissioner Kelly Pehrson said in a prepared statement. 'We recognize the tremendous strain drought places on farm families and rural communities, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is committed to doing everything we can to help,' Pehrson added. 'This loan program is just one of the tools we're using to support producers through this crisis and keep our agricultural economy strong.' As of May 13, almost the entire state of Utah remains 'abnormally dry,' according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Areas in southern Utah including Washington County are in 'extreme drought,' while other rural counties on the southern, eastern and western sides of the state face either severe or moderate drought. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food urged farmers to visit the state's website to learn more about the program and how to apply. 'These funds are only available for agricultural producers to address declared disaster-related losses and cannot be used for any value-added projects,' the website says. To be eligible, the department says: All losses and expenses submitted for funding must be documented. Loan funds may only be used to cover losses related to the official disaster declared. Loan funds may only be used to cover losses not already covered by indemnity, insurance, or other compensation. Eligible losses and expenses will be further defined in application information provided specific to the declared disaster. Additionally, state officials encouraged farmers to also contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to explore other available federal drought assistance options. They also referred farmers to the state's drought resources website, which provides updates on available financial resources and how to access them. 'We understand the challenges that drought conditions present, and we are committed to providing the necessary resources to help Utahns navigate these difficult times,' the website says. It also encourages all Utahns to 'focus on water conservation efforts to help mitigate the impacts of the drought.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
USDA offering emergency loans to New Mexico farmers, ranchers impacted by drought
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Some New Mexico farmers and ranchers will be able to apply for emergency loans due to a recent USDA decision. Endangered Mexican wolf tracked roaming north of I-40, what to do if you see it A total of 11 New Mexico counties were designated by the USDA as 'Primary Natural Disaster Areas for Drought.' This natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans that can be used to meet various recovery needs, including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. Below you will find a list of New Mexico counties that are eligible for loans: Primary Counties Eligible: Catron Chaves Dona Ana Eddy Grant Hidalgo Lea Lincoln Luna Otero Sierra Contiguous Counties Also Eligible: Cibola De Baca Guadalupe Roosevelt Socorro Torrance According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who operate in a disaster-designated county and have experienced substantial damage or loss. Applicants must demonstrate an inability to obtain sufficient credit from other sources to cover their disaster-related needs. The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. The application deadline is Nov. 25, 2025. The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
