On Dec. 10, Secretary Tom Vilsack declared 54 counties in the State of Michigan as primary natural disaster areas and 27 as contiguous counties. This action was based on damages and losses caused by excessive snow, freeze, frost, high winds, cold temperatures, snowfall, ice and blizzards that occurred Jan. 1, 2014, and ending May 17, 2014.

This disaster designation number is S3776. As a result of this disaster determination, five Indiana counties were named as contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for Farm Service Agency Emergency loan assistance pursuant to section 321 (a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. These counties are as follows: Elkhart, Lagrange, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Steuben and they are serviced through the Whitley County Regional FSA office in Columbia City.

These designations make farm operators in primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for low interest emergency loans from FSA in accordance with 3-FLP (Rev. 2) and Disaster Set-Aside in accordance with 5-FLP, Part 2, provided eligibility requirements are met.

FSA will consider each loan application or servicing action on its own merits, taking into account the extent of the losses, security available and repayment ability.

Assistance for disaster related losses may also be available under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Tree Assistance Program, Livestock Indemnity Program, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program and Emergency Conservation Program.

If you have any questions or desire further information, contact USDA, Farm Loan Programs at (260) 244-6266, ext. 105 in Columbia City.