A recent presidential disaster designation for many western Washington counties triggered federal disaster relief for farmers and ranchers in Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties.   This will also apply to contiguous counties that may have been affected by disaster declaration.

“Most reported damage from January’s heavy snows, rain and landslides occurred to infrastructure and timber but the designation also makes emergency loans available to agricultural producers who may have suffered losses,” explained Jeff Peterson, Senior Farm Loan Officer.  “Losses could include crop, livestock or farm property damage.  FSA emergency loans are low interest, 3.75 percent, with  payment terms of up to 40 years.

Emergency loans may be used to replace essential property or pay production costs associated with the disaster year.  They also may be used to pay essential living expenses, reorganize a farming operation or refinance certain debts.  Producers have eight months to request emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

“Any crop damage in excess of 50 percent may be eligible for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program also,” said Peterson. “The SURE program payments are in addition to crop insurance, which producers must have to be eligible for the program,” he said.

The SURE program provides a direct payment that helps cover revenue losses when a natural disaster impacts crop quality or production.  Producers need to have already purchased crop insurance or Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage for all of their economically significant crops to be eligible for SURE payments.  The Farm Service Agency makes SURE payments based on a formula that takes into account the difference between guaranteed revenue and the expected revenue made for a farm.  Producers must show documentation of losses or prevented plantings.

“These programs are part of the federal safety net for agriculture. Guaranteeing our nation’s food supply means making sure farmers and ranchers can recover from devastating weather conditions,”  said Peterson.

Interested farmers and ranchers may contact the FSA office at (360) 748-0083 ext 2 for further information about emergency loans and other programs. Additional information is also available online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wa.