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Third District Designated USDA ‘Natural Disaster’
Published Oct 23, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 33 South Carolina counties as a primary natural disaster area due to drought and excessive heat. Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 03) (pictured) sent a letter to the Acting Secretary of Agriculture encouraging him to grant a disaster declaration requested by Gov. Mark Sanford.
“A drought of this magnitude not only brings damage to the soil but can make or break family livelihoods for the next few generations,” said Congressman Barrett. “I am pleased that the drought designation will allow farmers in these areas to apply for much needed emergency loans so that, hopefully, this season’s loss will not affect next year’s productions.”
After reviewing the Damage Assessment Reports, the USDA determined the counties were a disaster area as there was “sufficient production losses in all 33 counties.” Included in the natural disaster designation are all 10 counties of Congressman Barrett’s Third Congressional District. These counties are Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda.
This Secretarial disaster designation allows eligible farmers to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) as long as eligibility requirements are met.FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
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