Local News

Drought Prompts Federal Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers in Okanogan County.

Aug 17, 2015

Ranchers in Okanogan County may be eligible for financial drought relief from the federal government. The U.S. Drought Monitor has reached D3, a severe drought.

“Low rainfall and high heat this spring and summer have combined to create a severe drought situation this year.” said Farm Service Agency Acting County Executive Director Stu Skidmore.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will make Livestock Forage Program payments to eligible ranchers in Okanogan County after severe drought coincided with the normal grazing season. "This is in addition to the emergency loans we have available for agricultural producers in this and adjacent counties because of a Disaster Designation due to drought."

For drought, LFP payments are equal to 60 percent of the monthly feed cost. Program payments help offset higher costs of purchasing feed or forage. Currently, ranchers in Okanogan County are eligible for financial assistance. “This could increase if the drought continues,” said Skidmore. Applications are due to the Farm Service Agency by January 31, 2016.

Emergency loans are also available in Okanogan County and contiguous counties. The loans are low interest, currently 3.625% percent, with payment terms of up to 40 years. They may be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize a farming operation or refinance certain debts.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the designation to apply for emergency loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the Emergency Loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.