EIGHTY-TWO COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN ELIGIBLE FOR USDA EMERGENCY FARM LOANS Media Contact: Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474

NEWS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of Communications News Room 460-A Washington, DC 20250-1300 Internet: News @usda.gov Phone: 202-720-9035 World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov Release No. 0247.01 Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474 Dan_Stuart@wdc.fsa.usda.gov EIGHTY-TWO COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN ELIGIBLE FOR USDA EMERGENCY FARM LOANS WASHINGTON, Dec.4, 2001--Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today named 82 counties in Michigan as eligible for USDA emergency farm loans due to losses caused by drought that occurred from June 12 through August 17, 2001. "These drought assistance funds are critical for Michigan farm families, especially in helping them weather the loss from these natural disasters," said Veneman. Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Wexford Counties were named as primary disaster areas on November 29, 2001. Also eligible because they are contiguous, are Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Crawford, Eaton, Gogebic, Houghton, and Ontonagon Counties. This designation makes all qualified farm operators in primary and contiguous disaster counties eligible for low- interest EM loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of this declaration to apply for the loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs available, in addition to the emergency loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Interested farmers may contact their local FSA offices for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures. Additional information is also available online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/disaster/assistance1.htm # NOTE: FSA news releases and media advisories are available on the World Wide Web at FSA's Home Page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov