All 83 Michigan counties were declared
national disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for excessive
heat and drought conditions. Among other things, that means farmers can obtain
low interest emergency loans. Losses of 30 percent or more in crop yield was
verified through harvest numbers.
Farmers can apply for emergency loans for
eight months from the date of disaster declaration. The loans, available to
cover all or part of actual loss for eligible farmers, are distributed based on
the merits of the particular application, weighing repayment ability, severity
of loss and available security.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm
Service Agency administers the emergency loan program.