Hartford, Conn(WTIC Radio)-New London and Windham counties have been designated primary natural disaster areas by the U.S Department of Agriculture because of a stage three drought classification.
Additionally Hartford, Middlesex and Tolland counties have been named contiguous counties under the declaration.
It means that farm operators can qualify for assistance from the Farm Service agency as long as eligibility requirements are met. That financial assistance includes emergency loans.
Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for the emergency loans.
“This ongoing drought has certainly caused a large number of production losses for Connecticut farmers, and this federal designation will provide much needed financial assistance for our agricultural industry and the jobs it supports,” Governor Lamont said. “I appreciate Secretary Vilsack and the Biden administration for approving this designation. I strongly encourage any farmers in these designated counties who experienced losses to reach out to their local Farm Service Agency office for information on assistance that may be available.”
“Connecticut’s agricultural producers continue to face unpredictable weather patterns from flooding to drought,” Connecticut Agricultural Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. “We encourage all producers to report losses to their local FSA office, as that data is critical to receiving disaster declarations, which provide the necessary resources to ensure the viability of agriculture in our state for seasons to come.”
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