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Federal drought aid available to California growers

It’s that time again. California is gearing up for a possible water shortage declaration.

In order to help California’s farmers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will be making federal loans available.


The department has declared a drought disaster for 50 counties, making growers eligible for federal funds. The state's remaining eight counties were listed in the proclamation as contiguous.

Juan Hidalgo, the Agricultural Commissioner for Santa Cruz County, said that California growers produce more than a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts.

“I think we will have some growers that will take advantage of the available federal funds, not so much in vegetable productions, at least not initially, but what I’m thinking is our livestock producers are definitely going to be impacted,” he told KCBS Radio.

Hidalgo said that’s because without green pastures, growers have to buy hay and feed that they otherwise wouldn’t purchase.

A drought disaster proclamation opens up emergency federal loans.