Dear Friends,
I hope this note finds you doing well. I wanted to pass along some additional information compiled by District 18 Senator Scott Newman that I thought may be helpful to those impacted by last week’s storms and flooding.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance or have any questions about these resources. I’m committed to helping residents of our district who have been impacted by flooding and storms in any way possible.
Below is additional information that we have received from the Departments regarding Ag-related disaster aid resources.
Take care,
Glenn
Agricultural Resources
Crop damage is assessed by the USDA Federal Farm Service Agency. To contact your county Farm Service Agent go to FSA’s website: http://1.usa.gov/1rrBEvB
USDA FSA Minnesota State Office
375 Jackson Street, Suite 400
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651.602.7700
USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Programs: provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=landing
USDA's Farm Service Agency provides Emergency: loans to help producers who own or operate located in a county declared by the President or designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a primary disaster area or quarantine area. All counties contiguous to the declared, designated, or quarantined primary counties also are eligible for Emergency loans. http://1.usa.gov/1izWF78
Rural Finance Authority Disaster Recovery Loan Program
This program can be used to cover expenses not covered by insurance. Examples of this could be feedstocks that have been washed away, the loss of livestock, and/or buildings or equipment that might not have been covered by insurance. The maximum net worth the farmer can have is $835,000. The RFA participation is limited to 45% of the loan up to $50,000 and the interest rate is 3%.
Here is the link to the Disaster program:
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/disasterloan.aspx
Department of Natural Resources: State Park closures
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/trailconditions/index.html
Department of Transportation road closures
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/flood/
For up to date information on situation reports, state agency activity, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management updates, go to the State Emergency Operations Center webpage:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/seoc/Pages/default.aspx