Worcester County Named Natural Disaster Area

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester has been named a contiguous natural disaster area due to crop losses, particularly of tree fruits like peaches. PHOTO: Flickr/jackson's orchard

Worcester has been designated as primary natural disaster area by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday.

Worcester has been named a contiguous natural disaster area due to crop losses, particularly of tree fruits like peaches, caused by frost and freeze occurring between February and May.

“Massachusetts’ diverse agricultural industry has long been a vital part of the Commonwealth’s economy, creating good jobs and providing healthy, local food for residents. We appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture taking steps to assist farms across the Commonwealth. I encourage farmers adversely impacted by this year’s extreme weather conditions to explore the USDA programs and the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

The designation makes farms in counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, including emergency loans.

MA Natural Disaster Areas

The 10 other counties with primary disaster designation are Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth. The counties named as contiguous disaster counties are Dukes, Nantucket and Suffolk.

“This year’s weather has been a great challenge to Massachusetts farmers; first with the winter freeze and now with a severe drought. Despite that, our farmers have done a remarkable job at getting high-quality, nutritious food to market, and I urge Massachusetts residents to buy local to support our hardworking farmers,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.

The same 11 counties become eligible for the USDA's Livestock Forage Disaster Program as a result of the drought. The program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on pasture land.

“Our livestock and dairy industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, contributing over $70 million dollars annually. We appreciate USDA implementing a program to address this specific sector. In addition to seasonal harvests, consumers have year-round access to top-quality, Massachusetts-produced dairy and meat products,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux.

Farmers in the designated counties are urged to contact their local FSA county offices for more information on the available programs.