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Farmers in 10 southeastern counties could be eligible for federal aid to combat drought

Hay Hotline activated

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2016) — Farmers in 10 southeastern Kentucky counties may be eligible for federal aid under an agricultural disaster declaration issued as a result of the ongoing drought throughout the commonwealth.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has designated Bell, McCreary, and Whitley counties as agricultural disaster areas. Farmers in Clay, Harlan, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, Pulaski and Wayne counties also may be eligible for aid.

A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in the primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for certain aid, including emergency loans, from the U.S. Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loans. For more information on available aid, contact your local FSA office or go to fsa.usda.gov.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture operates an online hay/forage sales directory where farmers who need to buy forages can search by county. Entries contain information on the nutritional and energy levels of the forages offered for sale.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles also has activated the Hay Hotline for farmers who need to find hay or who want to make hay available for sale. For more information about the Hay Hotline, or to post hay for sale, go to kyagr.com/marketing/hay-hotline.html or call (502) 782-4110.