BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Rain is what Missourians need. An official disaster declaration is what they got.
Tuesday's federal disaster designation from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack won't help any plants grow, but it will provide some help to those who need it most. Farmers who take advantage will have access to low interest loans and other assistance to try and help them recover from losses.
All 114 of Missouri’s counties have received disaster designations resulting from drought, as well as the City of St. Louis due to it being contiguous to St. Louis County.
A disaster designation allows eligible farmers to be considered for assistance from the USDAFarm Service Agency (FSA), including FSA emergency loans.In addition to keeping an eye on crops and livestock, producers should document any losses or additional costs experienced as a result of weather events, including drought. That information is often required for producers to be eligible for physical and/or production loss loan assistance from the FSA, as well as other assistance programs.
