Iowa farmers are eligible for emergency loans. | Pixabay
Iowa farmers are eligible for emergency loans. | Pixabay
The Hawkeye State is dealing with more than just the COVID-19 pandemic.
A series of thunderstorms, or better known as a derecho, hit numerous Iowa counties as grain storage and growing crops were devastated on Aug. 10.
Agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue along with numerous other Republican politicians traveled to Hardin County to announce that help was on the way.
Perdue announced he has designated 18 Iowa counties as primary natural disaster areas after the derecho hit and they will be eligible for emergency loans via the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Counties expected to receive help include Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Dallas, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama.
Funds from the emergency loans can be used to buy new livestock, replace equipment, refinance debts or reorganize the farm operation.
FSA will review loan applications and the deadline is slated for May 3, 2021.
"The recovery process is in full swing, and USDA is working diligently to expedite financial and technical support for Iowa farmers and livestock producers who have suffered unprecedented losses,” Perdue told the news website Successful Farming.
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