WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree have announced that farmers in a number of Maine counties are now eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a disaster designation for Somerset County due to damages and losses caused by excessive precipitation that occurred from May 8 through Sept. 25.

In addition to Somerset Country, the USDA has designated Aroostook, Franklin, Kennebec, Penobscot, Waldo and Piscataquis counties as contiguous disaster counties also eligible for assistance.

The disaster designation makes farm operators in these counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). According to the USDA, eligible farmers have eight months from now to apply for benefits.

“This designation comes at an important time since agricultural producers across the state have experienced several hardships during this past crop season,” said Michaud and Pingree. “These USDA programs provide critical assistance to producers when disasters strike, and we encourage Mainers to contact their local Farm Service Agency office to learn more about how these programs can help.”

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