Posted: 08.27.2010

Wisconsin farmers and gardeners might have gotten off to a quick start in April - but May for many was a whole different situation.

Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared Chippewa, Eau Claire, Trempealeau and Door counties Natural Disaster Areas because of a frost/freeze snap that rolled through between May 4-15.

Federal officials say they've been handling reports of lost crops ranging from apples to cherries - grapes to strawberries.  Under the federal declaration, qualified growers in those areas - and contiguous counties - will qualify for low interest loans.

Additional counties were growers can also receive assistance include:  Barron, Rusk, Pepin, Clark, Buffalo, Taylor, Jackson, Dunn, LaCrosse and Kewaunee counties.

Winona county Minnesota is also qualified.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. 

FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

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