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    <title>USDA Farm Service Agency Emergency Designation News Releases</title>
    <description>Stay on top of important FSA news and information with the fsa.usda.gov RSS feed. We'll revise this feed when we add news and featured content on the fsa.usda.gov website.</description>
    <link>http://www.fsa.usda.gov/</link>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <copyright>USDA Farm Service Agency</copyright>
    <item>
      <title>USDA Designates 6 Counties in Texas as Primary Natural Disaster Areas</title>
      <link>http://fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=edn&amp;newstype=ednewsrel&amp;type=detail&amp;item=ed_20130516_rel_0084.html</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ed_20130516_rel_0084 at www.fsa.usda.gov</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[USDA Designates 6 Counties in Texas as Primary Natural Disaster Areas <br /><br /><p><font >        </font></p>WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 &#8212; The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated six counties in Texas as primary natural disaster areas due to the recent drought.<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p>The counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >         </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="87"><font >Ector</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Leon</font></td><td valign="top" width="104"><font >Madison</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="87"><font >Houston</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Liberty</font></td><td valign="top" width="104"><font >San Jacinto</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >         </font></p>&#8220;Our hearts go out to those Texas farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,&#8221; said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. &#8220;President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation&#8217;s economy by sustaining the successes of America&#8217;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We&#8217;re also telling Texas producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.&#8221;<br /> Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Texas also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >         </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Anderson</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Crane</font></td><td valign="top" width="106"><font >Limestone</font></td><td valign="top" width="100"><font >Trinity</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Andrews</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Freestone</font></td><td valign="top" width="106"><font >Midland</font></td><td valign="top" width="100"><font >Upton</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Angelina</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Grimes</font></td><td valign="top" width="106"><font >Montgomery</font></td><td valign="top" width="100"><font >Walker</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Brazos</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Hardin</font></td><td valign="top" width="106"><font >Polk</font></td><td valign="top" width="100"><font >Ward</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Chambers</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Harris</font></td><td valign="top" width="106"><font >Robertson</font></td><td valign="top" width="100"><font >Winkler</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="88"><font >Cherokee</font></td><td valign="top" width="86"><font >Jefferson</font></td><td width="106"></td><td width="100"></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >     </font></p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas May 15, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA&#8217;s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.<br /> <br /><p><font  size="-1">      </font></p>The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: <br /> <br /><p><font >          </font></p> Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.  Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation&#39;s meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.375 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.  Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.  Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.<br /><p><font >       </font></p>Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov</a></font>.<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p>Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.<br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p>FSA news releases are available on FSA&#8217;s website at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">www.fsa.usda.gov</a></font> via the &#8220;Newsroom&#8221; link.<br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 13:24:58 CDT</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>USDA Designates 2 Counties in Iowa as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in South Dakota</title>
      <link>http://fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=edn&amp;newstype=ednewsrel&amp;type=detail&amp;item=ed_20130508_rel_0079.html</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ed_20130508_rel_0079 at www.fsa.usda.gov</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Release 0079.13<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>USDA Designates 2 Counties in Iowa as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in South Dakota<br /><br /><p><font >    </font></p>WASHINGTON, May 8, 2013 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in <b>Iowa</b> as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>Plymouth and Sioux<br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p>&quot;Our hearts go out to those Iowa farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,&quot; said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. &quot;President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation&#39;s economy by sustaining the successes of America&#39;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We&#39;re also telling Iowa producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.&quot;<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Iowa also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Cherokee</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Lyon</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >O&#39;Brien</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Osceola</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Woodbury</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >   </font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >   </font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >  </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >   </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in South Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p><b>South Dakota     </b><br /> Lincoln and Union<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas May 8, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA&#39;s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: <br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p> Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.  Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation&#39;s meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.375 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.   Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.  Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.<br /><p><font >     </font></p>Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/" target="_blank">http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov</a></font>.<br /> <br /><p><font >     </font></p>Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>FSA news releases are available on FSA&#39;s website at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.fsa.usda.gov/. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.fsa.usda.gov</a></font> via the &quot;Newsroom&quot; link.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p><i>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</i><br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 13:29:34 CDT</pubDate>
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      <title>USDA Designates 27 Counties in South Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States</title>
      <link>http://fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=edn&amp;newstype=ednewsrel&amp;type=detail&amp;item=ed_20130508_rel_0080.html</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ed_20130508_rel_0080 at www.fsa.usda.gov</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[USDA Designates 27 Counties in South Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States <br /><br /><p><font >        </font></p>WASHINGTON, May 8, 2013 &#8212; The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture (USDA) has designated 27 counties in South Dakota as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p>The counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >         </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Bon Homme</font></td><td width="86"><font >Gregory</font></td><td width="104"><font >Mellette</font></td><td width="104"><font >Todd</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Butte</font></td><td width="86"><font >Haakon</font></td><td width="104"><font >Pennington</font></td><td width="104"><font >Tripp</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Charles Mix</font></td><td width="86"><font >Harding</font></td><td width="104"><font >Perkins</font></td><td width="104"><font >Turner</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Clay</font></td><td width="86"><font >Hughes</font></td><td width="104"><font >Potter</font></td><td width="104"><font >Union</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Corson</font></td><td width="86"><font >Jackson</font></td><td width="104"><font >Shannon</font></td><td width="104"><font >Yankton</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Dewey</font></td><td width="86"><font >Jones</font></td><td width="104"><font >Stanley</font></td><td width="104"><font >Ziebach</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Fall River</font></td><td width="86"><font >Meade</font></td><td width="104"><font >Sully</font></td><td width="104"></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >         </font></p>&#8220;Our hearts go out to those South Dakota farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,&#8221; said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. &#8220;President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation&#8217;s economy by sustaining the successes of America&#8217;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We&#8217;re also telling South Dakota producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.&#8221;<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in South Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >          </font></p><br /><p><font >         </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Aurora</font></td><td width="86"><font >Custer</font></td><td width="104"><font >Hutchinson</font></td><td width="104"><font >Lyman</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Bennett</font></td><td width="86"><font >Douglas</font></td><td width="104"><font >Hyde</font></td><td width="104"><font >McCook</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Brule</font></td><td width="86"><font >Edmunds</font></td><td width="104"><font >Lawrence</font></td><td width="104"><font >Minnehaha</font></td></tr><tr><td width="87"><font >Campbell</font></td><td width="86"><font >Faulk</font></td><td width="104"><font >Lincoln</font></td><td width="104"><font >Walworth </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >     </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p><b>Iowa </b><br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Plymouth</font></td><td width="86"><font >Sioux</font></td><td width="104"><font >Woodbury</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >     </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><b>Montana</b><br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Carter</font></td><td width="86"><font >Fallon</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >        </font></p><b>Nebraska</b><br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="69"><font >Boyd</font></td><td width="75"><font >Cherry</font></td><td width="93"><font >Dawes</font></td><td width="65"><font >Keya Paha</font></td><td width="80"><font >Sheridan</font></td></tr><tr><td width="69"><font >Cedar</font></td><td width="75"><font >Dakota</font></td><td width="93"><font >Dixon</font></td><td width="65"><font >Knox</font></td><td width="80"><font >Sioux</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >          </font></p><br /><p><font >     </font></p><b>North Dakota</b><br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Adams </font></td><td width="86"><font >Bowman</font></td><td width="104"><font >Emmons</font></td><td width="104"><font >Sioux</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >      </font></p><b>Wyoming</b><br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="87"><font >Crook</font></td><td width="86"><font >Niobrara</font></td><td width="104"><font >Weston</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >     </font></p><br /><p><font >      </font></p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas May 8, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA&#8217;s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.<br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p>The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: <br /> <br /><p><font >         </font></p><br /><p><font >        </font></p> Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.  Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation&#39;s meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.375 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.  Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.  Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.<br /><p><font >         </font></p>Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov</a></font>.<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p>Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.<br /> <br /><p><font >       </font></p>FSA news releases are available on FSA&#8217;s website at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">www.fsa.usda.gov</a></font> via the &#8220;Newsroom&#8221; link.<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >  </font></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 15:12:48 CDT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>USDA Designates 4 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Wyoming</title>
      <link>http://fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=edn&amp;newstype=ednewsrel&amp;type=detail&amp;item=ed_20130508_rel_0078.html</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ed_20130508_rel_0078 at www.fsa.usda.gov</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Release 0078.13<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >       </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>USDA Designates 4 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Wyoming<br /><br /><p><font >    </font></p>WASHINGTON, May 8, 2013 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated four counties in <b>Montana</b> as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="57"><font >Big Horn</font></td><td valign="top" width="67"><font >Carbon</font></td><td valign="top" width="83"><font >Stillwater</font></td><td valign="top" width="101"><font >Yellowstone</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >   </font></p>&quot;Our hearts go out to those Montana farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,&quot; said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. &quot;President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation&#39;s economy by sustaining the successes of America&#39;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We&#39;re also telling Montana producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.&quot;<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Montana also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="97"><font >Golden Valley</font></td><td valign="top" width="94"><font >Park</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Rosebud</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Treasure</font></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="97"><font >Musselshell</font></td><td valign="top" width="94"><font >Powder River</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Sweet Grass</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >    </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >   </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Wyoming also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p><b>Wyoming   </b><br /> <table border="1"><tr><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Big Horn</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Park</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >Sheridan</font></td><td valign="top" width="95"><font >    </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >   </font></p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas May 8, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA&#39;s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.<br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p>The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: <br /> <br /><p><font >   </font></p> Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.  Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation&#39;s meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.375 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.   Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.  Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.<br /><p><font >    </font></p>Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/" target="_blank">http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov</a></font>.<br /> <br /><p><font >     </font></p>Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.<br /> <br /><p><font >     </font></p>FSA news releases are available on FSA&#39;s website at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.fsa.usda.gov/. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.fsa.usda.gov</a></font> via the &quot;Newsroom&quot; link.<br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p><br /><p><font >    </font></p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<br /> <br /><p><font >    </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 13:54:14 CDT</pubDate>
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      <title>USDA Designates 6 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas</title>
      <link>http://fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&amp;subject=landing&amp;topic=edn&amp;newstype=ednewsrel&amp;type=detail&amp;item=ed_20130508_rel_0082.html</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ed_20130508_rel_0082 at www.fsa.usda.gov</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[USDA Designates 6 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas <br /><br /><p><font >           </font></p>WASHINGTON, May 8, 2013 &#8212; The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated six counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas in two separate designations. <br /> <br /><p><font >          </font></p>&#8220;Our hearts go out to those Florida farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,&#8221; said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. &#8220;President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation&#8217;s economy by sustaining the successes of America&#8217;s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We&#8217;re also telling Florida producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.&#8221;<br /> <br /><p><font >                </font></p><b>Designation #1</b><br /> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by frosts and freezes that occurred March 26-29, 2013.<br /> <br /><p><font >              </font></p>The counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >               </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="83"><font >Columbia</font></td><td width="67"><font >Dixie</font></td><td width="75"><font >Gilchrist</font></td><td width="66"><font >Levy</font></td><td width="90"><font >Suwannee</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >               </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >             </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="95"><font >Alachua</font></td><td width="95"><font >Baker</font></td><td width="95"><font >Citrus</font></td><td width="95"><font >Hamilton</font></td></tr><tr><td width="95"><font >Lafayette</font></td><td width="95"><font >Madison</font></td><td width="95"><font >Marion</font></td><td width="95"><font >Taylor</font></td></tr><tr><td width="95"><font >Union</font></td><td width="95"><font >  </font></td><td width="95"><font >   </font></td><td width="95"><font >   </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >            </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >        </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="191"><font >Clinch </font></td><td width="191"><font > Echols </font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >             </font></p><b>Designation #2</b><br /> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Sumter County as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.<br /> <br /><p><font >                </font></p>Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:<br /> <br /><p><font >              </font></p><table border="1"><tr><td width="127"><font >Citrus</font></td><td width="127"><font >Lake</font></td><td width="127"><font >Pasco</font></td></tr><tr><td width="127"><font >Hernando</font></td><td width="127"><font >Marion</font></td><td width="127"><font >Polk</font></td></tr></table><br /><p><font >      </font></p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas May 8, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA&#8217;s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.<br /> <br /><p><font >               </font></p>The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: <br /> <br /><p><font >                </font></p> Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.  Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation&#39;s meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.375 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.  Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.  Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.<br /><p><font >             </font></p>Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov</a></font>.<br /> <br /><p><font >                   </font></p>Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.<br /> <br /><p><font >         </font></p>FSA news releases are available on FSA&#8217;s website at <font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" ><!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.fsa.usda.gov. --><!-- .._blank. --><a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov" target="_blank">www.fsa.usda.gov</a></font> via the &#8220;Newsroom&#8221; link.<br /> <br /><p><font >           </font></p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<br /> <br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >      </font></p><br /><p><font >   </font></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 14:14:25 CDT</pubDate>
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