USDA grants disaster designation for farmers

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Heavy rains flooded orchards throughout Madera County earlier this year.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Madera County, offering much-needed relief to farmers who have suffered physical and crop production losses as a direct result of the winter storms that began on December 27.

This designation means that Madera County farms may qualify for emergency farm loans to help them recover and rebuild.

Farmers who have questions about the emergency farm loans or need assistance with the application process should contact the Madera Farm Services Agency at 674-4628. Additional resources and support are available through the Madera County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer’s office at 675-7876.