USDA Designates Two Arkansas Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Contact:
FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Arkansas counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent two recent disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

These natural disaster designations allow FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.

Excessive Rain – January 2020

Producers in Mississippi County, who suffered losses due to excessive rain that occurred Jan. 10 through Jan. 12, 2020, may be eligible for emergency loans.

Producers in the contiguous Arkansas counties of Craighead, Crittenden, and Poinsett, along with Dunklin and Pemiscot counties in Missouri, and Dryer, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton counties in Tennessee, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Excessive Rain – February 2020

Producers in Drew County, who suffered losses due to excessive rain that occurred Feb. 10 through Feb. 15, 2020, may be eligible for emergency loans.

Producers in the contiguous Arkansas counties of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, and Lincoln, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Nov. 18, 2020.

FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program.

Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at farmers.gov/recover.