Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Program
Agricultural Loans
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has established the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Program through the Utah Conservation Commission (UCC). The purpose of the program is to assist agricultural producers by providing loan funds to help them address extraordinary circumstances related to declared disasters that have resulted in production losses.
These funds are only available for agricultural producers to address declared disaster-related losses and cannot be used for any value-added projects.
Eligible Losses and Expenses
- All losses and expenses submitted for funding under this program must be documented
- Loan funds may only be used to cover losses related to the official disaster declared
- Loan funds may only be used to cover losses not already covered by indemnity, insurance, or other compensation
- Eligible losses and expenses will be further defined in application information provided specific to the declared disaster
Loan Information
- Unsecured 7-year fully amortized loans
- 0% interest for the first 2 years, 2.75% thereafter
- First loan payment due date options will be outlined in the application information provided for the declared disaster. Borrower may select month due and payment frequency (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually)
- Loan maximum is currently $100,000 per entity
- All disbursements must be completed within six months of loan closing or before an otherwise specified date unless the date is extended by the UCC
- A 5% late fee may be assessed on past due principal balance
Application Process
- Applications must first approved through your local Conservation Districts. Contact your local Resource Coordinator for submission to the district
- Any incomplete application will be placed at the bottom of rotation
- The application date is considered the date of COMPLETE application, not the date of the original submission
- Once all documents are received, the application will be processed for eligibility
- Applications will be approved on a first complete, first processed basis for funding
- All signatures will be completed through eSign
Documents Required for Loan Application
Submitted to the Conservation District
- Complete and signed application
- Supporting Documents
- Quotes
- Invoices
- Information documenting loss or expense
Submitted to the UDAF loan staff after approval
- 2 years of complete (personal and business) tax returns
- Credit will be pulled by UDAF from a credit agency
- Entity Documents if applying under a business
- Financial statements
- Balance Sheet
- Income Statement
- Statement of Cash Flows
Potential Reasons for Denial of an Application
- Incomplete application
- Lack of qualifying losses
- Program funds are exhausted
- The producer applied outside of the application window
How to Apply
Per program policy, the Conservation Districts and the Utah Conservation Commission require a minimum of 90 days to process, approve and close a loan.
Complete the Application
- Meet with your local UDAF Resource Coordinator or Planner.
- Fill out the appropriate application for the declared disaster.
- Ensure all sections are completed accurately.
- Type or print clearly.
- Sign and date your application.
Conservation District Approval
- Your application and supporting information must first be approved by your local Conservation District.
- Your local UDAF Resource Coordinator can assist with this step.
UDAF Loan Department Review
- Once approved by the Conservation District, your Resource Coordinator will forward your application to the UDAF Loan Department.
- Your Resource Coordinator may provide a list of required documents.
- The Loan Department will also email you this information after receiving your application. Please check your email regularly and submit documents promptly.
- Submit documents and questions to: [email protected]
Loan Underwriting
- The Loan Department will review your application, income, and other necessary information to assess your repayment ability.
- If requirements are met, your loan proposal will be presented at the next Utah Conservation Commission (UCC) meeting.
Loan Approval and Closing
- Upon UCC approval, the Loan Department will prepare your closing documents.
- Loan funds are fully committed once the loan agreement is signed by all parties and assigned an agreement number.
Receiving Loan Funds (Disbursement)
- After the loan agreement is finalized, you can submit invoices and supporting documentation to receive funds.
- You will work directly with the Loan Department on the specific requirements for each disbursement request.
Loan Repayment
- Make timely payments throughout your loan term.
- Payment Options:
- Online check payment
- Mail a check
- You may also set up recurring payments through your bank
- Contact the Loan Department with any payment questions.
- No prepayment penalty. Extra payments will be applied to your principal balance.
For the quickest response, please email the entire loan staff atย [email protected]