Essex County Designated a Primary Natural Disaster Area

ESSEX COUNTY, MA – Essex County is one of 11 counties across the Commonwealth designated as a "primary natural disaster area" by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Counties were given the distinction based on crop losses, particularly of fruit trees, caused by frost and freeze from February to May. Three of those counties were also deemed contiguous natural disaster areas.

Farms in designated primary natural disaster counties are eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.

"Massachusetts’ diverse agricultural industry has long been a vital part of the Commonwealth’s economy, creating good jobs and providing healthy, local food for residents," said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. "We appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture taking steps to assist farms across the Commonwealth. I encourage farmers adversely impacted by this year’s extreme weather conditions to explore the USDA programs and the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund."

In addition to the designation as primary and contiguous natural disaster areas, the same 11 counties are eligible for the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) as the result of the ongoing drought. The LFP program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on pasture land.

"Our livestock and dairy industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, contributing over $70 million dollars annually. We appreciate USDA implementing a program to address this specific sector," said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux in a statement. "In addition to seasonal harvests, consumers have year-round access to top-quality, Massachusetts-produced dairy and meat products."

Farmers in the designated counties are urged to contact their local FSA county offices for more information on the available programs.

Earlier this month, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund, which has the capacity to provide up to $1 million in micro-loans to family farms and other small businesses affected by widespread drought conditions in Massachusetts, said the announcement.

Patch File Photo

Charlene Arsenault (Patch Staff) contributed to this report