Farm and ranch operations in three Arizona counties can apply now for emergency loans to cope with drought conditions. Today the USDA added more California counties to the dozens of previously declared natural disaster areas in California and Nevada. Mojave, La
“Lack of rain can ruin a season’s crops, crops that are a large investment for farmers. It also impacts ranchers and dairies, because drought affects what the animals have to eat,” said Mark Killian, director of the Department of Agriculture. “
The Farm Service Administration has requirements to make sure those who receive the funds need it and to ensure repayment.
Farmers and ranchers in Mojave, La
In 2015 the drought prompted the USDA to declare almost every county in Arizona a primary natural disaster area. Most of Arizona has shown considerable improvement in the last year.
USDA also provides other programs to help producers manage through difficult times. Arizona’s Farm Services Administration has an office in Arizona to help walk producers through the process (602-285-6300).