Severe drought conditions spurred the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue disaster designations for 10 counties throughout Southwest Colorado and San Luis Valley, including La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
The designations mean that local farmers and ranchers will be eligible for financial assistance from the Farm Service Agency.
Affected producers have an eight-month window from the disaster declaration to apply for help. Local farmers and ranchers can get more information on how to apply for assistance from local FSA agents.
“Drought conditions continue to plague many parts of Colorado, and our producers’ crops and livestock are suffering,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in a news release.
“These designations make crucial assistance available to our farmers and ranchers that are dealing with losses due to the severe weather. This is why we fought hard to get a full, five-year Farm Bill signed into law so our producers have a safety net to help them through tough times like these.”
The USDA also issued disaster designations for Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande and San Miguel counties.
The designations will make local farmers and ranchers eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, including emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.
