Roseau & Crookston, MN—Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, and Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau are encouraging farmers impacted by recent storms to take advantage of the Disaster Recovery Loan Program. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), zero-percent loans will be available to assist farmers with flood-related clean-up, repair, and replacement costs that are not covered by insurance. The program is administered through the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority.
"Minnesotans always come together to help each other out after natural disasters and other hardships—I hope farmers who have been impacted by the recent storms and flooding will look into and take full advantage of this program as they work to clean up and get back on their feet," Rep. Kiel said.
"Our offices are prepared to assist in any way we can as we recover from these terrible storms," added Rep. Fabian. "We know this is a challenging time for many of our farmers and those who rely on the agriculture industry, and we want you to know we're here for you and want to help."
Governor Dayton declared a state of emergency last week in the Red Lake Nation and 36 counties: Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Jackson, Kittson, Lake, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, St. Louis, Waseca, and Watonwan.
According to the department, "loans can be used to help clean up farm operations, repair or replace farm structures, and replace seed, other crop inputs, feed, and livestock" or to repair and restore farm real estate that was damaged by flooding." The loan program will be available for farmers through existing agricultural lenders, with the RFA loans limited to 45% of the principal up to a maximum of $200,000.
Three counties (Kittson, Red Lake, and Polk) located in Senate District 1 were included in the emergency declaration.
Constituents are encouraged to contact the Rural Finance Authority for more information by calling 651-201-6004, or by visiting www.mda.state.mn.us/agfinance. Rep. Fabian's office can be reached by calling 651-296-9635, or by email at rep.dan.fabian@house.mn. Rep. Kiel's office can be reached by calling 651-296-5091 or by email at rep.deb.kiel@house.mn.
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