~ Farmers hit by flash flooding in June eligible for low-interest emergency loans ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Cook and Lake Counties have been designated agricultural disaster areas by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer. The designation makes farm operators in both counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the federal Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The Governor had requested the designation due to excessive rainfall and flash flooding that occurred in Cook County on June 6, 2008 when approximately six inches of rain fell on already saturated soil.

“A lot of rain in a short period of time can have a devastating effect on crops,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This agricultural disaster designation will help northeast Minnesota farmers who suffered losses this summer.”

The Loss Assessment Report submitted by Cook County and approved by the FSA showed that farms in the area experienced extensive damage to corn, barley, and oat crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture determined there were sufficient production losses to warrant a disaster declaration. Lake County is included in the disaster designation because it is adjacent to Cook County.

Farmers located in Cook or Lake Counties should contact their local FSA office for more information about the low-interest Emergency Loan Program administered by FSA. Emergency loan funds 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.