Local farmers can seek help from the government to recover from this summer’s drought after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom J. Vilsack declared the situation a natural disaster.
Amite and Walthall counties have been included in the primary disaster area, Farm Service Agency officials said.
That means farmers in those counties and the contiguous counties of Pike, Franklin, Lincoln and Adams may apply for emergency loans covering up to 100% of their production loss or the amount needed to restore their operation to its pre-disaster condition, whichever is less.
The loans may also be used to refinance some debts.
Vilsack also declared 28 Louisiana parishes a disaster area because of the drought.
The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is April 29, 2024.
For more information, visit the Farm Service Agency office at 303-B Mall Drive, McComb, call 601-833-9321 ex. 2 or visit www.farmers .gov/recover.
