The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is reminding farm and ranchland owners who have suffered flood damage that low-interest ARDL (Agriculture Resource Development Loan) loans are available to assist in repairs and recovery. The loans are made for a maximum of 12 years at 3 percent interest with a one-time administration fee of 4 percent. The objectives of the program are to: conserve soil and water resources; increase agricultural yields, maintain and improve water quality; conserve and/or develop on-farm energy; and reduce damages to agriculture as a result of flooding, drought, or other natural disasters.

The department’s Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program can also help farmers and ranchers restructure debt while landowners are rebuilding their businesses. More information on both programs is available at: http://ag.utah.gov/conservation/ardl.pdf.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard M. Blackham expressed concern for the numerous farmers and ranchers impacted by recent snowmelt-related flooding.

“I want to remind landowners that in addition to the federal aid that is available, the UDAF can offer our low-interest ARDL loans,” said the commissioner. “The program’s funds could be used in addition to what is being offered by the USDA,” he added.

Farmers and ranchers in the affected areas are encouraged to contact their county FSA office to report losses and sign up for the agency’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). According to FSA Executive Director, Boyd Critchfield, the program can help impacted land owners remove debris, restore fences, clear irrigation ditches and canals, repair structures, and rehabilitate farmland. Visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Flooding of cropland along Sevier River	More farmland flooding in S. Central Utah

Posted June 2, 2005