State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) is informing farmers in his district about the Farm Service Agency (FSA) low-interest loans available to those who qualify. The U.S. Agriculture Secretary recently declared an agricultural disaster in Illinois immediately triggering the availability of low-interest loans to farmers.
“Many farmers have been negatively impacted by heavy rains during the planting season and had to replant or wait to plant late which added costs in the beginning of this season,” commented Rep. Blaine Wilhour. “Other farmers couldn’t get all of their fields planted and will lose money on the back end of the season from lower yields or lower prices. This disaster declaration enables our farming families to access low-interest loans to help them through this difficult time.”
The emergency loan program is triggered when a natural disaster is designated by the Secretary of Agriculture or a natural disaster or emergency is declared by the President. These loans help producers who suffer qualifying farm related losses directly caused by the disaster in a county declared or designated as a primary disaster or quarantine area.
These low-interest loans may be used to restore or replace essential property, cover production costs, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the family farm or refinance certain non-real estate operating debts.
For more information, visit the USDA web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov.