7-21-10 —     Wayne County is among several Kentucky counties that are eligible for farm disaster assistance due to losses caused by severe storms and flooding earlier this year, according to an announcement made recently by U.S. Congressman Harold Rogers. Other counties included in the designation are: Bath, Breathitt, Jackson, Knott, Laurel, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, and Wolfe.

    Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for emergency loan assistance. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will consider each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses, security available, and repayment ability.

    Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program applications for 2010 crop losses will be accepted in 2011, when the 2010 farm revenue data required by the statute becomes available. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with more information.

    “I am grateful that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has designated these counties as eligible for farm disaster assistance,” stated Rogers. “The damaging winds, flooding, mudslides, and severe storms in early May wreaked havoc on our local farm operations. While more challenges lie ahead, this designation will go a long way toward helping our growers and cattlemen receive emergency loans and financial support that they so desperately need to stay afloat.”