Oregon Farmers Eligible For Loans Following Storms, Fires

Farmers and ranchers in eleven Oregon counties, along with parts of Washington, are eligible for federal emergency assistance following severe storms and flooding in mid-March. The FSA says eligible producers can apply for emergency loans to help replace equipment or livestock, reorganize operations, or refinance certain debts.

The original disaster designation covers nine primary Oregon counties, including Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union and Yamhill. Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington are also eligible.

The application deadline for these cases is December 7th.

In addition, FSA has also designated four Oregon counties as Natural Disaster areas, following wildfires this summer. Farmers and ranchers in Gilliam, Klamath, Wasco and Wheeler have until May 21st to apply for emergency loans. Producers in neighboring Oregon, Washington and California counties may be eligible for loans as well.

Producers in both cases are encourage to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for eligibility information.