WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Michaud has announced that more farmers in Maine are eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance.

“Farmers across our state have experienced several natural disasters this year,” said Michaud. “These programs provide important assistance, and I encourage Maine farmers to learn more about how these programs can help them.”

The USDA issued two new disaster declarations for Maine:

Designation 1: The combined effects of various periods of excessive rain, hail, high winds, below normal temperatures, dry weather and excessive heat that occurred from May 3 through Sept. 20. This designation covers Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot and Washington counties. Benefits are also available for the contiguous counties of Knox, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo.

Designation 2: Excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding and high winds associated with and following Hurricane Irene that occurred from Aug. 28 through Sept. 23: This second designation covers Oxford County and benefits are available for the contiguous counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin and York.

These designations make farm operators in these counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met, including FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program. According to the USDA, eligible farmers have eight months to apply for emergency loans, and SURE program applications for 2011 crop losses will be accepted in 2012.

For more information on these FSA programs and eligibility requirements, Mainers should contact the Maine FSA office at 990-9140 or visit the FSA website.