Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. said Louisiana’s flood-stricken farmers may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Strain said eight Louisiana parishes qualify for help under a USDA Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation that set aside emergency loan money for areas affected by flooding and excessive rainfall after April 6.
“It is imperative to get aid to our farmers in the flooded areas as quickly as possible,” Strain said. “The LDAF anticipated problems with flooding and Governor Jindal declared Pointe Coupee a disaster area. We're very happy the USDA recognized our plight and made this money available.”
Pointe Coupee Parish is named as a primary natural disaster area. The neighboring parishes of Avoyelles, Concordia, Iberville, St. Landry, St. Martin, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana are also designated as disaster areas.
Farmers who want to apply for the emergency loans are advised to contact their local FSA office for further information.
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