Jaime Foster

Governor Ned Lamont has announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has APPROVED Connecticut's request to receive a federal agricultural disaster declaration due to the impact of the abnormal, sub-freezing weather event that occurred in the early morning hours of May 18.

This declaration means that farmers in all eight counties can apply for disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency, such as emergency loans, to cover production losses they experienced because of the unusually cold temperatures that spring morning, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met.

Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said in a recent call with Secretary Vilsack’s office, the Farm Service Agency agreed to extend the deadline for applications for both the Tree Assistance Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program. Commissioner Hurlburt encourages farmers that lost eligible trees, bushes, and vines to apply for TAP and any farms that lost honeybees to apply to ELAP. Both programs are available and can assist with replacement costs on the farm.

Farmers will have eight months from the date of this secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. The Farm Service Agency considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Farmers interested in applying for assistance must contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

To find your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) for support and/or assistance in applying, click HERE https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ct&agency=fsa