Sacramento >> The Governor’s office of Emergency Services included Lake and Mendocino counties in its list of eligible counties given disaster designation resulting from the drought. This designation is a result of the final rule announcement for the USDA Designation Process which includes nearly automatic approval for those counties that meet established drought intensity levels for at least 8 weeks as reported on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
According to UC Cooperative Extension Director Greg Giusti, “Ag families, dependent on water supplies, have been critically impacted over the past years. This will provide some hope to those who want to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Giusti said the programs are available to “Farmers and ranchers who conduct family-sized farming operations.”
“The program will provide up to $500,000 for emergency loans for those who have suffered both physical or crop production losses as a direct result of the disaster,” Guisti added.
The program is being administered through the Farm Services Agency. The office that services Lake and Mendocino counties is located in Ukiah. The phone number is (707)-468-9223. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720-2600.
