USDA Offers Disaster Assistance
After recent storms, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Meigs, Rhea, and Roane counties were declared primary disaster counties, while Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe, and Sequatchie counties were declared contiguous disaster counties. All due to severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes using the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Under this designation, if you have operations in any primary or contiguous counties, you are eligible to apply for low interest emergency loans.
Severe weather events create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers. Despite every attempt to mitigate risk, your operation my suffer losses. USDA offers disaster assistance when facing inclement weather.
You have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. You can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000. Applications for assistance in the disaster-stricken counties will be accepted by the Farm Service Agency through 05/28/2024.
For more information about emergency loans, contact Farm Loan Officer, Rachel Niceley, at the Knox County USDA Service Center located at 4730 New Harvest Ln., Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37918, or by phone at 865-291-9518 or visit fsa.usda.gov.
