FSA disaster loans available

Farmers in Vernon County who suffered losses from a series of storms that struck the area earlier this year could be eligible for a special loan program from the Farm Service Agency, according to a press release issued this week. Farm Service Agency disaster loans are now available in 95 counties in Missouri, including Vernon, Barton and Bates counties.

The loans area available due to excessive rainfall, flash flooding, flooding and high winds that occurred Feb. 1-July 10. Loans for physical losses must be used to replace or repair damage to buildings, fences or to compensate the farmer for losses of basic livestock, stored crops or supplies on hand or equipment that was lost due to the disaster.

The FSA noted that loans for production losses also may be used to buy feed, seed, fertilizer, livestock or to make payments on real estate or chattel debts. Generally, loans for production losses cannot be approved until crops have completed their production cycle or have been harvested.

In order to qualify for such a loan, the FSA information states, a farmer must have suffered a 30 percent loss in production or an actual physical loss that was essential to the successful operation of the farm.

Loans for actual losses are made at an interest rate of 3.75 percent for emergency loans to eligible applicants who are unable to obtain the actual credit needed from another source.

Vernon, Bates and Barton county applications for assistance will be accepted at the Vernon County FSA office at 102 W. Allison St., Nevada, Mo. Applications relating to this disaster will be accepted through April 20, 2011.