ST. PAUL -- Farmers in 29 designated Minnesota counties hit by summer tornadoes or fall flooding can apply for recovery aid from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The recent special legislative session appropriated $4 million in the form of financial aid to help eligible farmers.
A flood disaster assistance program is available only to eligible farmers affected by the September floods. This aid will help pay for expenses not covered by insurance, including cleanup, debris removal and to assist in restoring loss of fencing, agricultural buildings, grain bins or equipment. The financial aid can also be used to recover losses of organic and specialty crops or harvested forage, and for the cost of seed, feed or other agricultural items.
Disaster Recovery Loans, available through the Rural Finance Authority and participating local lenders, are available to farmers who experienced losses from either the summer tornadoes or the September floods. These loans are offered at 0 percent interest and can be used to help clean up, repair or replace farm structures and septic and water systems. These loans can also be used to replace seed, feed, and livestock, or to restore existing agricultural buildings to pre-disaster conditions.
The 29 designated counties include Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties.
