Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Lac Qui Parle, Big Stone, Chippewa, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties have been designated agricultural disaster areas by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer. The designation makes farm operators in each county eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the federal Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The Governor requested the designation due to a severe thunderstorm with high winds and large hail that affected the area on July 31, 2008.

“The effects of a severe storm can be felt long after the winds and hail have ended,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This agricultural disaster designation will help Minnesota farmers who suffered losses this summer.”

The Loss Assessment Report submitted by Lac Qui Parle County and approved by the FSA showed that farms in the county experienced extensive damage to corn and soybean crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture determined there were sufficient production losses to warrant a disaster declaration. Big Stone, Chippewa, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties were included in the disaster designation because they are adjacent to Lac Qui Parle County.

Farmers located in the designated 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.