NORWICH - Chenango County has been declared eligible for disaster emergency loan assistance due to damages and losses caused by remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

Family farmers who have suffered physical losses and/or the losses of at least 30 percent of their production may be eligible for Farm Service Agency loans. Proceeds from crop insurance and any FSA programs are taken into account when determining eligibility for production losses. Losses must be supported with documented records.

Farmers may be eligible for production loss loans of up to 100 percent of their actual losses, or the operating loan amount needed to continue in business, or a maximum principal balance outstanding of $500,000, whichever is less. Farmers must be unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders. The interest rate on Emergency Loans is 3.75 percent.