Kern, Kings Counties Designated Agriculture Disaster Areas

Press Release

Today, the Department of Agriculture announced that Kern and Kings Counties have been designated as agriculture disaster areas due to damage from freezing temperatures, hail, and high winds that occurred between March 1 and April 30th. Producers in Kern and Kings Counties now are eligible for consideration for federal assistance through the Farm Services Agency (FSA).

"Early this spring, our crops were damaged significantly by hail and unseasonably cold temperatures," said Costa. "Secretary Vilsack's decision to declare Kern and Kings County as an agriculture disaster area paves the way for our producers to access the resources necessary for their recovery."

Kern and Kings County producers are eligible to apply for FSA emergency loans (EM). Emergency loans are available to help producers offset their losses due to natural disasters. Up to 100% of the actual losses minus any other disaster related compensation can be borrowed by producers. Eligibility is determined based upon ability to repay the loan and other factors.

All assistance applications must be completed within 8 months and additional information about the FSA disaster assistance programs available can be on this FSA document.

Producers can contact the California Branch of the Farm Services Agency for further information by phone at (530) 792-5520 or by mail at United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 430 G Street, Suite 4161, Davis, CA 95616-4161.

Source