Five Maine counties eligible for USDA loans related to drought

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Maine counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Producers in Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, Oxford and Sagadahoc counties who suffered losses caused by drought and above-normal temperatures that has occurred since May 1 may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency emergency loans.
This natural disaster designation allows 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.
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 information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Information is available online at farmers.gov/recover.