The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday designated drought-stricken El Paso County a primary natural disaster area, making agricultural producers eligible for emergency loans.
The agricultural producers "who suffered losses and damages caused by a recent drought" can apply for the Farm Service Agency’s emergency loans until Feb. 4.
Much of El Paso County is in severe drought, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday.
A northwest portion of the county is in moderate drought.
At this time last year, about 94 percent of the state had received adequate moisture, the report says.
Now, 79.67 percent of the state is abnormally dry, 67.52 percent is in moderate drought, 51.18 percent is in severe drought, 35.21 percent is in extreme drought and 7.79 percent was in exceptional drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor’s highest designation.
Producers in contiguous counties – Crowley, Douglas, Elbert, Fremont, Lincoln, Pueblo and Teller – also are eligible to apply.
"FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability," a USDA news release says.
"FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the emergency loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster."
– Contact Ellie Mulder: 636-0198 Twitter: @lemarie