ST. PAUL – Farmers in 16 Minnesota counties will be eligible for emergency loans and other help after dealing with multiple weather problems.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday announced the farmers, mostly in northern Minnesota, are due federal aid because their farms have sustained excessive rain, flooding, frost and cold.
“Many farm operations are already struggling with low farm prices, and these weather disasters have made it even harder for them to operate,” said Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.
Counties in the disaster declaration include Hubbard, Mahnomen and Wilkin. Federal officials said they will decide on a case-by-case basis what farmers are eligible for aid. Local Farm Services Administration offices are farmers’ points of contact.
