Salt Lake City, Utah -- Utah farmers and ranchers who sustained losses due to drought, grasshopper and Mormon cricket infestation, frost, hail and high winds are eligible for consideration for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA's Farm Service Agency.

USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman issued a disaster designation for all 29 counties in Utah on July 1, 2002. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) received and completed its review of Damage Assessment Reports, which were provided by the Utah State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency (FSA). Based on this review, all 29 counties have sustained sufficient production losses in a single enterprise to warrant a Secretarial disaster designation. The secretary of agriculture designated all Utah counties as primary disaster areas.

"This designation makes all farm operators in primary counties eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met," said Agriculture Secretary, Ann M. Veneman. "FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability," she added.

According the Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the direct economic loss to Utah farmers and ranchers is estimated at $167 million dollars, resulting in the loss of 2,700 jobs. The broader financial impact on the businesses that service or benefit from agriculture, known as the economic multiplier, extends the loss to more than $400 million.

"I encourage all Utah farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by this year's drought, insect infestation or other natural disaster to contact their local FSA representative," said Utah Commissioner of Agriculture, Cary G. Peterson.

Local FSA officers can provide affected farmers and ranchers with more information.

More information about drought relief or assistance is available at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's web site at: http://ag.utah.gov.