Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced today that Colorado farmers and ranchers in Lincoln County are eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The announcement comes on the heels of the USDA’s recent designation of Lincoln County as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought that occurred from January 1, 2011.

“Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are an essential part of our state’s economic success, and we can’t afford to let seasonal losses grow into larger problems down the road,” Bennet said. “The USDA has committed to providing assistance and I encourage those affected to take advantage of these programs.”

All qualified producers in Lincoln County are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). SURE was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and was implemented beginning on January 4, 2010. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to cover part of their actual losses.

Interested farmers and ranchers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures. Information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.