Washington, DC – The Department of Agriculture declared on November 30 the following parishes in Southwest Louisiana disaster areas as a result of a drought beginning on March 23, 2010 and continuing:

Acadia
Calcasieu
Cameron
Evangeline
Jefferson Davis
Lafayette
St. Landry
Vermilion

After reviewing Loss Assessment Reports, the USDA determined “there were sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation.”  With this decision, farm operators in these areas are eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, including emergency loans and Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments. 

“I am pleased that the USDA has taken action to help farmers across the state,” said Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-Southwest Louisiana).  “I encourage those in need of emergency assistance to contact their local USDA offices as soon as possible.”

Farmers in these areas have eight months from the date of this emergency declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance on a case-by-case basis.  Individuals can contact their local USDA offices for additional loan information, or visit the USDA website at:

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?service=page/CountyMap&state=LA&stateName=Louisiana&stateCode=22

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