USDA Aid Available For Nursery Losses

July 18, 2007, SMITHVILLE – More of DeKalb County’s nursery growers may now be eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for nursery stock losses caused by April’s freeze, announced U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.

“While the drought is still taking a toll on agriculture in Tennessee, this assistance for damage caused by the freeze may help some nursery growers,” said Gordon.”

In June, the USDA determined there were enough losses from the April 4-11 freeze to warrant a natural disaster declaration for the entire state of Tennessee. That designation made qualified Tennessee farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

Typically, farmers must have their crops insured to be eligible for the loans, but the USDA has determined that insurance for nursery crops was not widely available. Because of that lack of insurance, the department has waived the insurance requirement.

“This is a welcome reversal from the USDA,” said Gordon. Our farmers and nursery growers have taken a big hit from the weather this year, so I’m glad more assistance is becoming available to help them cope with those losses.”

Nursery growers can call the local FSA office at (615) 597-8225 for more information on the loans.