“Recent drought conditions are nearly paralyzing Illinois farmers,” said Rep. Johnson.  “I understand that this assistance won’t make up for all losses, but hopefully the emergency loans and LCPs will ease the weather related pains of farmers throughout my district and the entire state of Illinois.”

To qualify as a disaster stricken area, a county must prove a 30% loss of production, or more, per commodity. In Illinois, the Southeastern portion of the state is hardest hit, however in the 15th district, Edgar and Piatt counties have been designated primary disaster areas. Other qualifying counties in the 15th include Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Kankakee, Livingston, McLean and Vermillion. Emergency loans and LCPs are available for counties named as primary disaster areas, while those counties given contiguous status are eligible only for the loan program.

Producers are encouraged to call Rep. Johnson’s District office at (217) 403-4690 with questions about federal drought assistance programs.  Individual county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will also be ready to answer questions about this assistance offered through the United States Department of Agriculture.