Next week, USDA officials will travel to Delaware, Wisconsin and Colorado to highlight Administration disaster assistance across the country. As serious drought conditions continue to intensify across the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials are fanning out to rural communities across the country to show support to farmers and ranchers affected by a string of extreme weather in 2012. 

During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,369 counties across 31states as disaster areas, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. In recent weeks, USDA subcabinet leaders have traveled across the country to Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and others to augment ongoing assistance from state-level USDA staff. USDA officials will also provide guidance on the department's existing disaster resources and remind producers to keep thorough records of losses as the department's authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. 

U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of U.S. producers. A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture. 

Additional information and updates on USDA's efforts can be found at www.usda.gov/disaster or USDA's drought page.

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