Columbia County farmers may be eligible for disaster assistance. The Governor of Washington has approved an agricultural disaster declaration due to rain, flooding, below-normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes that occurred between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2011. This declaration also applies to counties contiguous to those that have been declared, even if they are in another state.
This being the case, benefits may be available for the following designated contiguous counties in the state of Oregon (Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman and Wasco).
Producers in both primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). SURE was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and was implemented beginning on January 4, 2010.
FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information.
Please contact our local Farm Service Agency Office in Hillsboro with questions. Their number is (503) 648-3174.
