Friday, Sept. 14, 2007
Gov. Minner’s Request for Drought Disaster Declaration Granted by USDA
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced today that U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns approved her request to issue a drought disaster designation for Delaware as a result of dry conditions this year that resulted in significant crop losses statewide. This designation makes Delaware farmers eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.
“This has been a difficult year for Delaware’s farmers, and I am glad the USDA approved my request for a drought disaster declaration,” Gov. Minner said. “Hopefully, this will provide some relief for farmers who suffered significant crop losses this year.”
In a letter to Gov. Minner, Johanns said that after reviewing damage assessment reports for Delaware, as well as additional information submitted by the Farm Service Agency, the USDA determined that all three counties in the state qualified as a primary natural disaster area due to crop losses from heat and drought. The Farm Service Agency’s Delaware Emergency Board estimated that 90 percent of the state’s farmers have sustained losses in excess of 30 percent of their expected production.
Farmers must meet eligibility requirements to receive the emergency loans. When considering the loan applications, the Farm Service Agency will take into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
For more information on the drought declaration and/or the low-interest emergency loans, please contact the Farm Service Agency as follows:
FSA State Office
1221 College Park Drive
Suite 201
Dover, DE 19904-8724
Phone: (302) 678-4250
FSA Service Center Offices
New Castle County Farm Service Agency
2430 Old County Road
Newark, DE 19702-4702
Phone: (302) 832-3100
Kent County Farm Service Agency
1221 College Park Drive
Suite 201
Dover, DE 19901-8724
Phone: (302) 697-2600
Sussex County Farm Service Agency
21315 Berlin Road
Georgetown, DE 19947-2144
Phone: (302) 856-3990
