Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced that Indiana farmers are eligible for assistance under a secretarial natural disaster designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This was in response to a letter Gov. Holcomb sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in July, requesting assistance due to the excessive rain and flooding farmers experienced during planting season.

“I am grateful that Secretary Perdue and his team recognized the hardships Hoosier farmers experienced this planting season,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As a result of this designation, farmers in all 92 counties are now eligible for assistance, and I encourage those impacted to work with their local Farm Service Agency office.”

Seventy-four counties were designated as primary natural disaster areas. USDA deferred its decision on the remaining 18 counties. However, since they border one or more of the primary disaster areas, they are considered contiguous disaster counties – allowing farm operators in those areas to be eligible for the same assistance.

Under a secretarial natural disaster designation, farm operators in primary and contiguous counties are eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, provided certain requirements are met. This includes access to low-interest FSA emergency loans, which may be used to: restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, and refinance certain debts.

In order to qualify, farm operators must show at least a 30 percent loss in crop production or a physical loss to livestock, livestock products, real estate or chattel property. Farmers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000, according to USDA.

“This has been an unprecedented year for Indiana farmers,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I applaud Governor Holcomb, the Indiana Farm Service Agency and our state department of agriculture for making this assistance available.”

In addition to emergency loans, farmers with existing FSA loans, who are unable to make their payments, may be eligible to have certain payments deferred. Farmers are encouraged to work with their local FSA office for assistance regarding payment forbearance or emergency disaster loans.

“Farmers, who have been doing this their entire lives, acknowledge this has been one of the toughest seasons on record, and we’re not in the clear yet,” said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “While we know this isn’t a cure-all solution, this assistance is welcome news and will help those severely impacted.”

For a list of Farm Service Agency offices in Indiana, click here or visit www.fsa.usda.gov, or click here for more information about FSA’s Emergency Farm Loans. Deadline to apply for emergency loans is April 29, 2020.

After a distinguished career advocating for strong public defense, Stephen T. Owens, Public Defender of Indiana, is retiring. The Indiana Supreme Court-appointed Mr. Owens to the position in June 2011. Chief Justice Loretta Rush appreciates Owens’ decades of public service, “Steve gave a voice to those asking for a review of their case and because of his dedication to that step, our system includes fairness for all.”

Owens came to the State Public Defender’s Office in 1986. He was named the Assistant Chief Deputy of Personnel in 1987. He is a graduate of Illinois College and the University of Dayton. Under his leadership, the Office reviewed thousands of cases, advocated for sentence reductions for clients, and improved services for juveniles. Mr. Owens said, “It has been an honor to work at the State Public Defender’s Office for over 33 years. During those decades, I worked with many accomplished attorneys and staff who were equally committed to representing the rights of indigent defendants. I am privileged to have dedicated my career to this essential office in Indiana’s justice system.”

The Public Defender of Indiana is a state-funded Judicial Branch agency that provides representation to indigent incarcerated individuals (including certain juveniles) in post-conviction relief cases to assure the fundamental fairness of the criminal justice system. It provides services in all capital cases. The Office receives about 500 requests from inmates each year asking for their case to be reviewed. The Public Defender is appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court. Details on the process for selecting Owens’ successor will be announced soon.

Death List 8-26-19 to 8-30-19