Decision Allows Farmers and Ranchers to Apply for USDA Assistance

Washington, DC (July 19, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Bastrop, Brooks, Fayette, and Hidalgo counties as contiguous disaster areas due to losses caused by drought, excessive temperatures, and high winds earlier this year.   

This decision allows farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.  FSA has a variety of programs available, in addition to the emergency loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.  These include:  the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

“Farming and ranching contribute to the foundation of this country,” said Hinojosa. “These businesses must contend with more than balance sheets and profit and loss statements; many times they are at the mercy of Mother Nature.  Our economy depends a great deal on these industries, and we must do all we can to support them and provide them with necessary assistance when needed.” 

Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Center for more information, or visit:  http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov