WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, announced today that all four counties in California’s 20th Congressional District were declared eligible by the Department of Agriculture for federal disaster assistance due to the recent drought. The designations allow farmers living on the Central Coast to apply for federal assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
“The recent drought has impacted many of our local growers,” said Rep. Farr. “Agriculture is the backbone of our Central Coast economy so I am pleased the Secretary recognized the need and made these programs available to provide relief.”
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack designated 27 California Counties as primary natural disaster areas due to the drought, including Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara. Santa Cruz County was designated a contiguous disaster county and therefore is also eligible for assistance.
Agricultural operators in all counties designated as natural disaster areas may qualify for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The agency will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The maximum amount for an EM loan is $500,000.
Farmers and ranchers in designated counties have eight months from today to apply for the EM loan to help cover part of their actual losses. For more information, individuals can visit www.usda.gov/ca or call the FSA’s Central Coast office at (831) 424-7377.