Emergency Funds Available for Colorado Growers

Emergency Funds Available for Colorado Growers

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

Farmers and ranchers in Pueblo and adjacent counties may now apply for emergency federal loans following a disaster designation.

AG Information Network's Patrick Cavanaugh has the details.

Patrick Cavanaugh: "This natural disaster designation allows the Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to Pueblo producers impacted by the drought. Emergency loans can be used to replace essential items such as equipment or livestock. Producers can also use funds to reorganization their farming operation or refinance certain debts. The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and ability for repayment.

Producers in several contiguous Colorado counties (Crowley, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Lincoln, and Otero) are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Feb. 23, 2021.

Southern Colorado producers raise sheep and cattle. Farmers grow potatoes, barley, and wheat but also carrots, alfalfa, lettuce, broccoli, canola, and cauliflower.

Fruit growers on the Western Slope recently learned they are also eligible for financial assistance following a freeze in April. The Colorado Farm Bureau says The freezing event in Mesa and Delta counties lasted five days and temperatures reached a low of 19 degrees, a devastating blow to growers.

The Farm Bureau says when peach trees are in the first bloom stage of their production cycle, temperatures at-or-below 21 degrees Fahrenheit will result in an estimated kill rate of 90%.

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