Area Counties Eligible for Emergency Farm Loans

TYLER — Smith County is one of six counties now eligible for emergency farm loans. The Farm Service Agency announced Monday it is now accepting applications for the emergency loans due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning March 7th through March 29th, in Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Rusk, Smith and Van Zandt Counties. The deadline for applications is December 5th. Smith County Farm Loan Manager, Joseph Grier, encourages farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible. She says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays.

Generally, farmers who have lost 30% of their production or any physical loss due to the disaster are eligible for the emergency loans. The FSA office is located at 4209 Republic Drive in Tyler. The telephone number is 903-561-2050 with office hours from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Farmers may also go to http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov for more information regarding Disaster Assistance Programs.