Southeast Colorado Farmers Eligible for Drought Relief Assistance

U.S. Senator Mark Udall announced  on Monday, June 27,  that farmers and ranchers in southeastern Colorado counties that have been hard-hit by the drought are now eligible for emergency assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As requested by Gov. John Hickenlooper, the USDA has declared a drought-related disaster in Baca, Crowley, and Otero counties.  As a result, farmers in those three counties – as well as the surrounding counties of Bent, El Paso, Kiowa, Las Animas, Lincoln, Prowers and Pueblo – are eligible to be considered for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program and Service Agency emergency loans.  According to USDA, farmers have eight months to apply for assistance.  Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information.

“I want to thank Agriculture Secretary Vilsack for responding quickly to the needs of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.  Farmers in southeastern Colorado are facing heavy losses as a result of the drought, and this will provide some relief to help get them through the year,” Udall said.

Under an earlier decision by USDA, ranchers in several southeastern Colorado counties are also eligible for emergency grazing through Sept. 30 on land set aside through the Conservation Reserve Program.