RICHMOND -- Suffolk and Isle of Wight farmer can now apply for disasater relief because of last year's natural disasters.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the government made the declaration due to excessive heat, high humidity, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and continuing excessive rainfall that occurred between April 1 and October 31, 2011.
James City, Southampton and Surry Counties and the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Newport New and Portsmouth received contiguous disaster declarations, meaning they border a locality named as a primary disaster area. Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner, said, "This part of the state was hit hard by an array of natural disasters lasting for more than seven months. I am certain farmers will appreciate any assistance they can get.”
Assistance includes emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program known as SURE.
Farmers have eight months to apply.
