Entire state authorized to receive disaster loan applications from FSA

FSA’s State Executive Director, Jamie H. Jenkins, PhD, said this authority is pursuant to Secretarial Natural Disaster Determination S2527, of a major disaster in Tennessee, caused by record low temperatures and a deep freeze that occurred April 4-11. As a result of this major disaster, the entire state of Tennessee is named as an area eligible for Federal disaster assistance pursuant to the provisions of Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Applications for assistance in the disaster-stricken counties will be accepted by FSA through Feb. 15, 2008, for production losses.

FSA Emergency Loans cover losses from designated disaster and are made to qualified farmers who cannot obtain necessary credit from other lenders in the local area.

Farmers qualifying for emergency loans may borrow up to 100 percent of their actual production loss, not to exceed a maximum of $500,000 or that amount actually needed, whichever is less.

To obtain further information, contact Hayden Bradley Jr., Farm Loan Manager/Officer of the Farm Service Agency office located at 811 Faulkner Springs Rd., McMinnville TN 37110. Their telephone number is (931) 473-6511.