Governor Bill Richardson Announces Seven

New Mexico Counties Declared Disasters by USDA

Six other counties named contiguous disaster areas

 

August 18, 2009

 

SANTA FE- Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the U.S Department of Agriculture has approved his request to declare seven New Mexico counties disasters due to losses suffered because of severe drought and high winds.  The designations make farmers in the designated counties eligible for federal financial assistance.

           

The USDA natural disaster declaration covers Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, De Baca, Lea and Otero counties. In addition, the department named Dona Ana, Curry, Guadalupe, Sierra, Torrance, Quay and Socorro contiguous disaster counties.

 

“I applaud the USDA for its prompt attention to this serious matter,” Governor Richardson said. “These designations will allow for some much needed relief for New Mexico’s hard-working farming and ranching families who continue to suffer production and income losses from prolonged lack of precipitation and high winds.”

 

Operators in the 14 primary and contiguous counties are now eligible to be considered for assistance from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program, which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

 

Affected farmers should contact their local FSA office for additional information.

 

Contact:

Alarie Ray-Garcia

505-476-2248