State’s Request for Secretarial Disaster Declaration Approved in 53 Counties

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a secretarial disaster declaration for 53 of Indiana’s 92 counties as requested by Governor Mike Pence, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, and Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Julia A. Wickard in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack in late July. The request came after Indiana farmers suffered significant crop damage and losses caused by flooding and excessive rain since May 1 of this year.

“Farms in counties all across the state have suffered because of the excessive rainfall we’ve experienced during our spring and summer months this year,” said Governor Pence. “I’m thankful to the Indiana Farm Service Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture for recognizing the need for assistance for our Hoosier farmers, and I hope that those affected will apply for the loans they need.”

Under the secretarial disaster declaration, low-interest emergency loans are available to all producers suffering losses in the 53 counties for which the secretarial disaster declaration has been approved, as well as in affected contiguous counties. A full list of counties where producers can request aid can be found attached.

Farmers interested in applying for loans can visit  http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa and contact their local FSA offices for application details. Information regarding loan uses, eligibility, and loan requirements can be found on the attached document as provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

US Department of Agriculture Information