USDA DESIGNATES COUNTIES IN OHIO AS AGRICULTURAL DISASTER AREAS

Only 16 counties escape the designation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, has designated 72 of the 88 counties in Ohio as primary agricultural disaster areas, due to losses caused by extreme weather conditions, including drought and excessive heat that occurred from May 25, 2005, and continuing. Those counties not named were mostly across the central part of the state, and even those counties can be eligible because they are contiguous to those designated. Certain farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers in the counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). If you would like a list of the counties, contact the OABA office at info@oaba.net or (614) 326-7520.