News

Several Illinois counties qualify for disaster loans from drought

Farmers impacted by drought in Fulton, Mason and Tazewell counties are now eligible for emergency loans following a natural disaster declaration by US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Contiguous counties are also eligible including Cass, Knox, Logan, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Peoria, Schuyler, Warren and Woodford.

The designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters.

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello says while drought conditions are improving across the state, crops and livestock were impacted earlier in the season.

The emergency loans were opened to producers in Randolph, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, St. Clair, Washington, Hancock, Adams, Calhoun and Pike counties through separate drought disaster designations announced earlier this year.

Producers should contact their local USDA service center to file a notice of loss.