Assistance available for Whatcom farmers

Written by Dave Gallagher | The Bellingham Herald | January 30, 2012

Here’s a news release from U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, about the approval of disaster assistance for local farmers that had issues with last year’s cool spring/summer. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray issued similar releases:

Farmers in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island counties are eligible to apply for federal disaster support, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, announced today. The counties are included in a list of 15 in Washington designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as primary natural disaster areas due to agriculture losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, below normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes in 2011.

“Farmers who were hit with production losses because of severe weather last year should contact their local Farm Service Agency office to report their losses and file for support they are eligible for,” Larsen said. “Farmers who need guidance or assistance can also contact my office in Everett at 425-252-3188.”

Farm operators in these counties who have suffered production losses due to the severe weather in 2011 are eligible to apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.

To learn more or to file claims, farm operators can contact the Farm Service Agency office listed below:

Snohomish County: http://go.usa.gov/nU9

Skagit, Island and San Juan counties: http://go.usa.gov/nUP

Whatcom County: http://go.usa.gov/nU5

For more information on the Farm Service Agency loan program, visit: http://go.usa.gov/nUK

For more information on the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program, visit: http://go.usa.gov/nUk