Governor Cuomo Declares 24 New York Counties A Drought Disaster For Federal Funding
The State Of New York ~ Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and Southern Tier Counties Included in Declaration Enabling Farmers to Qualify for Emergency Loans
State Agriculture Commissioner, State Leaders to Tour Farms in Affected Areas
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that 24 counties across Upstate New York have been designated as a natural disaster area by the federal government as a result of this summer’s drought. These designations mean that farmers in those areas may be eligible for assistance, including emergency loans, from the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Additionally, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball, state lawmakers and other farm leaders will be conducting on-site assessments of farms affected by the drought, while the state works closely with Cornell University expert hydrologists and climate professors to help understand and study the outlook for recovery.
“Strong agriculture is critical to the vibrancy of Upstate New York and this year’s hot, dry summer have created significant challenges to this crucial industry,” Governor Cuomo said.“From Western New York to the North Country, New York’s growers and producers are major drivers of our economy and the benefits they provide to the community are immeasurable. In these difficult times, we must ensure that they have full access to all the resources necessary for making a full recovery.”
“Our hearts go out to the farmers and ranchers affected by the drought in New York,” said United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling New York producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”
Disaster declaration is based on reporting of crop loss to the federal Farm Service Agency and a D3 designation by the U.S. Drought Monitor. The federal government declared 15 counties as primary natural disaster areas and an additional nine counties as contiguous disaster counties due to a recent drought. In addition, several other counties in the North Country, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and the Southern Tier regions are also requesting primary disaster declarations.
The primary counties included under this designation are in Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Southern Tier and they include:
Western New York
· Erie
· Niagara
Finger Lakes
· Genesee
· Livingston
· Monroe
· Ontario
· Seneca
· Wyoming
· Yates
Central New York
· Cayuga
Southern Tier
· Chemung
· Schuyler
· Steuben
· Tioga
· Tompkins
The federal government also named nine counties in the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Southern Tier, and Central New York as contiguous disaster counties. They include:
Western New York
· Allegany
· Cattaraugus
· Chautauqua
Southern Tier
· Broome
Central New York
· Cortland
· Onondaga
· Oswego
Finger Lakes
· Orleans
· Wayne
In addition, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue to work with its partners in monitoring the drought situation and its effect on New York farms in these and other counties across the State, including in the North Country, Capital Region and on Long Island. The Department will also tour affected farms in Western New York, the North Country and the Southern Tier.
A disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.
The Farm Service Agency considers each emergency loan application based on the extent of production losses on the farm, and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information. Contact information for the offices can be found here.