News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Cardoza Helps Secure Disaster Designation For Valley Farmers |
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Declaration Makes Peach Farmers in Merced and Stanislaus Counties Eligible For Emergency Loans |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2003 |
CONTACT: Bret Ladine (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – In response to intervention by Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared Merced County and seven contiguous counties disaster areas, making farmers who experienced severe crop damage in an April storm eligible for low-interest emergency loans.
The declaration by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman comes after area cling peach farmers voiced their concerns about massive production losses incurred after an April 21 hail storm devastated their crops. Cardoza alerted Veneman to their predicament, which could not be meaningfully addressed without the disaster designation. "I’m grateful that Secretary Veneman addressed this situation promptly after it was called to her attention," Cardoza said. "Our farmers deserve all the help they can get when a natural disaster like this strikes." Veneman also declared Stanislaus, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Tuloumne counties as contiguous disaster areas. The designation enables farm operators in primary and contiguous counties to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. According to Veneman, FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Local FSA offices in Merced and Stanislaus counties can provide affected farmers with further assistance. Information is also available on the Internet: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/emloan.htm |
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