Ross Urges Area Farmers to Utilize USDA Emergency Programs

Boston – State Senator Richard Ross would like to announce that farmers located in the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District may be eligible for low interest emergency loans from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency.

The USDA has deemed 11 counties across the Commonwealth as “primary natural disaster areas” due to substantial crop losses as a result of the widespread drought, gypsy moths, and other environmental complications. Farmers have eight months to apply for a loan to help with financial losses.

“There is no doubt that the aid offered by the USDA will be of great use to farms in my district. I strongly encourage farmers who have been negatively impacted by the drought to review the USDA programs and loans available to them,” said Senator Richard Ross.

The 11 Massachusetts counties are also eligible for the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which compensates farmers with livestock who have suffered “grazing losses” as a result of the drought.

Massachusetts farmers interested in applying for USDA aid should contact their local USDA Service Center for information on eligibility requirements and application procedures. More information is available at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

Please contact the office of Senator Ross with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-1555 or Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.

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