News Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) today announced new federal aid for farmers who suffered crop losses from weather and related conditions, including crop diseases, insects, and delayed planting.  The new assistance – direct payments to eligible farmers – was recently approved by Congress and comes in addition to the low-interest emergency loans announced by the Governor last week.

“Late season freezes, in addition to other weather related conditions, have caused real hardship for farmers in the 5th District,” said Spratt.  “Hopefully this disaster assistance provided by Congress will help to lessen the blow that farmers have experienced this growing season.”

Spratt said farmers in all counties of the 5th District can be considered for the new aid.  The counties are Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marlboro, Newberry, Sumter, and York.

To be eligible for the new assistance, farmers must have planted, or planned to plant, the crop before February 28, 2007.  The loss threshold for eligibility is 35%, and the payment rate is set at 50% of the established crop insurance price. Only producers with crop insurance coverage or who signed up for the Non-Insured Assistance Program are eligible for assistance. The 95% crop value cap and deduction for crop insurance indemnities applies.

Farmers interested in applying for the new aid should contact their local Farm Service Agency office for more information.

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