Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

High winds and excessive rains in July and August have qualified Rhode Island farmers for natural disaster benefits, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today.

Washington and Providence counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas because of losses caused by excessive rain and high winds from July 23 through Aug. 31, 2008. The state's three other counties also qualify because they are close to the designated areas.

Bonnie E. Burr, acting state executive director for the Farm Service Agency in Rhode Island, said the designation allows farmers who meet eligibility requirements to apply for low-interest emergency loans.

Farmers have until August 31 to apply for loans to help cover their losses. Each loan application will be considered based on the extent of losses and the farmer's ability to repay.

Other programs designed to help eligible farmers recover from adversity include the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

Interested farmers may contact the local USDA Service Center for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.

The Farm Service Agency is in Suites 40 and 49 at 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick.The phone number is (401) 828-3120

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