Representative Berry with Senators Lincoln and Pryor Announce Designation of Disaster Areas

Excessive rain and flooding occurring September 1, 2003 through September 8, 2003 warranted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to designate Lawrence County and its six contiguous counties – Craighead, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Randolph and Sharp – natural disaster areas.

The designation makes farm operators in the seven counties eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Affected farmers should contact their local FSA offices to receive further information; FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.