U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has declared 100 Illinois counties disaster areas as a result of this summer’s drought conditions. As a result of this declaration, qualified farm operators in these counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farmers have until the end of March of next year to apply. Additionally, FSA has a variety of programs available to help eligible farmers to recover from adversity.

“Many Illinois farmers have reported tremendous losses due to the devastating affects of the drought conditions this summer,” Rutherford said. “The FSA has resources and programs available to help farmers recover some of their losses and get back on their feet. There is a limited time to apply for these programs, so I would encourage any area farmer in need of assistance to look into these programs before it is too late.”

Rutherford also said the Illinois State Treasurer’s office has pledged about $100 million in low-interest loans area farmers can access through local financial institutions. Any agriculture producer in the drought-affected counties is eligible to apply for a loan.

The Treasurer’s loan program offers rates starting out at 4.64 percent interest and borrowers can defer payments on the principal of the loan because only interest payments are required during the first six months of the loan. Area farmers only have a few weeks left to apply for loans through this particular program.

Anyone interested in applying for a loan through the Farm Service Agency can access additional information on the emergency loan program through their local USDA Service Centers or on the FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov. Anyone interested in applying for a loan through the Treasurer’s Emergency Drought Relief Program should contact their local financial institution for more information, or call the Treasurer’s Office at 217.782.2072.