Disaster Assistance After April Freeze
By: Jennifer Griggy
Updated: May 18, 2007
(Little Rock, AR) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted Arkansass request for a disaster declaration for crop damage caused by the late-season freeze of April 7 and 8.
Governor Mike Beebe received word late Thursday.
The declaration covers 68 Arkansas counties, but the remaining seven are also eligible because they are contiguous to included counties.
The declaration immediately qualifies affected farmers for low-interest emergency loans from the USDAs Farm Services Agency. Applicants have eight months to apply for the loans.
The FSA will consider the extent of losses, repayment ability and available financial security when reviewing loan applications.
Beebe personally delivered the request to Agricultural Secretary Mike Johanns on May 1.
(Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)
