Latest news with #UtahDepartmentofAgricultureandFood
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
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Relief loan applications open for Utah's farmers impacted by ongoing drought
SALT LAKE CITY () — Just under a month after over drought concerns, the state's farmers have access to a $2 million loan fund. The state of emergency declaration was made after – only 44% of Utah's normal snowpack. At the time of the declaration, Cox urged Utahns to be 'extremely mindful' of their water use and find every possible way to conserve. But for Utah's farmers, the ongoing drought and water scarcity threaten crops, livestock and long-term viability, according to (UDAF) Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. Remains of Utah woman found a mile away from where her 'original remains' were discovered last year '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,' said Pherson. 'This loan program is just one of the tools we're using to support producers through this crisis and keep our agricultural economy strong.' Under the loan relief program, eligible farmers in the 17 impacted counties, found below, will be able to apply for a low-interest loan of up to $100,000. UDAF said the loans are seven-year loans with no interest for the first two years and a 2.75% interest rate for the five remaining years. The counties eligible for the loan are: Beaver Carbon Emery Garfield Grand Iron Juab Kane Millard Piute San Juan Sanpete Sevier Tooele Uintah Washington Wayne UDAF officials said applications for the relief fund loan will only be accepted until Oct. 23, 2025. Guidelines and application materials can be found online on the UDAF website, here. Farmers can also find additional relief programs through the with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Utah Subway franchise owner sued by federal agency over 2020 sexual assault Hassan, Noem lock horns over habeas corpus White House hold mock briefing for children Relief loan applications open for Utah's farmers impacted by ongoing drought The breathtaking Guardsman Pass scenic byway reopens for 2025 summer season Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah: Up to $2 million in drought relief for farmers
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced on Tuesday the availability of low-interest loans for agricultural producers impacted by drought through the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan program. Up to $2 million is available for impacted agricultural producers in 17 counties widely expected to suffer the worst effects. In April, Gov. Spencer Cox issued a state of emergency due to ongoing drought in the following counties: Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Washington and Wayne. The declaration recognizes the significant challenges the drought presents to Utah's agricultural economy and rural communities. Eligible producers in those counties may apply for relief loans of up to $100,000 per entity; up to $2 million total is available through the program. The loans are low-interest, seven year loans with no interest for the first two years, and 2.75% thereafter. Applications 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,' said Agricultural Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. '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. This loan program is just one of the tools we're using to support producers through this crisis and keep our agricultural economy strong,' he added. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 93% of Utah is abnormally dry. Just over 42% of the state is already classified as suffering from severe drought, while southwest Utah is in extreme drought. A recent report outlining the water supply outlook for Utah noted the precarious conditions playing out in that region. Soil moisture values in that area are breaking records for dryness, according to the Utah Snow Survey with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Peak runoff forecasts are predicted to be in the bottom 15th percentile, if not record-setting. Despite resilient reservoir supply conditions, the agency said it remains 'very' concerned about the water supply outlook in the St. George area due to these factors. The area, in fact, is the driest it's been since the state first started taking records in 1895. Interested applicants should visit review program guidelines and application materials. UDAF encourages all producers to also contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to explore other federal drought assistance options. More drought resources are available at:
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah may remove incentives for solar power projects based on their location
A solar installation in Emery County, with PacifiCorp's Hunter coal-fired power plant in the background, is pictured on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Building large solar energy plants in Utah may become a more arduous endeavor this year, especially if they are located on certain farmland. That's if HB241 passes this legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Colin Jack, R-St George, eliminates incentives meant to fund big solar developments if they are located on what the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food defines as 'productive farmlands.' The bill 'attempts to find the balance between having food to eat and not having food to eat,' said Jack, who has successfully run a number of proposals to ensure the state has enough on-demand energy, especially from coal-fueled power plants. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After the full House voted 54-12 to approve the bill on Monday, it now goes to the Senate for its consideration. Incentives restricted from projects in farmlands include a clean energy systems tax credit, a tax credit for high-cost infrastructure projects, and an alternative energy development tax credit. According to Jack, his bill is a solution addressing a concern that his constituents brought to him — 'a lot of their productive farm and ranch land was being consumed with large solar fields,' he said. The legislation changed a lot from its original version, which set strict requirements for lot size, height, setbacks, noise levels and visual appearance that some considered to be too restrictive for most large solar plants. But, those are now gone, and the bill now only removes state financial incentives. Additionally, HB241 requires the solar energy industry to consult with state biologists about migrations and endangered species in the location of potential solar fields for large projects. Also, they should have a decommissioning fund and plan to reclaim the land where the units sit with either a landowner or a governing local authority. The bill doesn't limit anyone from pursuing solar power projects on their own land and with their own money, Jack said. It only disincentives building them on farmlands. And, lands that are partially adequate to grow food may still access part of the incentives if they have certain characteristics. 'I worry about the message that we are removing (Utah) from solar and not thriving with renewable energy,' said Rep. Rosalba Dominguez, D-Salt Lake City, during the debate. However, she added that she appreciates the intention of protecting farmers and food production. This is the latest bill proposal that has been controversial among those advocating for clean energy. The state is also studying and advancing a bill this session to impose a substantial tax for privately-owned solar and wind power projects to fund an endangered wildlife account. HB241, however, changed on Monday to clarify that it wouldn't affect projects that are already in the works. While Jack reiterated that the bill wouldn't directly tell landowners how to use their plots, Rep. Scott Chew, R-Jensen, said he still struggled with it, since it still represents another limit on what property owners can do with their lands 'Maybe it doesn't limit them, but it limits the opportunities that they can do with their private property,' Chew said. 'So I'm having a hard time continuing on with this bill.' But others, like Rep. Troy Shelley, R-Ephraim, supported the idea, arguing that it provides more accountability for solar energy developers. 'A lot of times, individuals (…) or corporations, when they build something like this, and it all collapses and falls to pieces, they walk away from it,' Shelley said. 'And this creates a bond so that they can't walk away.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
