Thompson seeks USDA Emergency Disaster Declaration for Counties in the Second Congressional District

Bolton, Mississippi — Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) wrote

Secretary Tom Vilsack to urge a disaster declaration for the twenty-three counties of

Mississippi’s Second Congressional District.

Due to unseasonably heavy rains, massive farm losses have been projected across the State of

Mississippi. The abundant rainfall has created crop fields that will not be suitable for harvest. In

addition, many harvested acres will have reduced yields or poor quality.

“The rainfall that has plagued Mississippi for the past several weeks has caused extensive

damage to farming operations in our area. If the disaster declaration is granted, many farmers

will be provided with much needed relief. I am committed to advocating that this hard hit

industry receives the assistance that it desperately needs”, says Thompson.

Once a county has been declared a disaster area by either the President or the Secretary of

Agriculture, agricultural producers in that county may become eligible for low-interest

emergency disaster (EM) loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Producers in

counties that are contiguous to a county with a disaster designation also become eligible for an

EM loan. EM loan funds may be used to help eligible farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture

producers recover from production or physical losses.