INDIANAPOLIS — Due to massive rainfall this summer, Kosciusko County, among 52 other Indiana counties, was approved for a secretarial disaster declaration as requested by Gov. Mike Pence, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, and Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Julia A. Wickard.

The request was made via letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack in late July. The request came after Indiana farmers suffered significant crop damage and losses caused by flooding and excessive rain since May 1 of this year.

Kosciusko County farmers, along with farmers in Elkhart, Fulton and Whitley can now apply for low-interest emergency loans, from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met, in order to procure losses to production and supplies due to rain.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

“Farms in counties all across the state have suffered because of the excessive rainfall we’ve experienced during our spring and summer months this year,” said Pence.

“I’m thankful to the Indiana Farm Service Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture for recognizing the need for assistance for our Hoosier farmers, and I hope that those affected will apply for the loans they need.”

Farmers interested in applying for loans can visit its website, and contact their local FSA offices for application details.

Additional programs available to assist farmers include the Emergency Conservation Program, The Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.