Mar 6, 2024

Oregon disaster declaration aids cherry growers

The USDA is offering cherry growers in nine Oregon counties access to disaster aid programs after weather caused 2023 crop year losses.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced the disaster designation. She petitioned the USDA for the designation in September 2023, outlining the effects of the weather events, including as the Oregon cherry harvest. Harvest data showed a 35% loss due to poor fruit set.

“Oregon farmers faced serious economic losses during last year’s crop season,” Kotek said in a news release. “Our agriculture community is invaluable to Oregon, feeding families across the state. This designation is critical to ensure that farmers are able to receive support from the federal government in recuperating those losses.”

Under the first designation, defined as excessive rain that started on July 7, 2023, Hood River County is listed as a primary county. Clackamas, Multnomah and Wasco counties have been designated as contingent counties.

Under the second designation, defined as drought, excessive heat, and high winds that occurred from July 5-15, 2023, Wasco County is listed as a primary county. Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman and Wheeler counties have been designated as continent counties. Farmers may be able to apply for loans if they produce crops in any of the primary or contingent counties included in the designation.

The disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous to them eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans.

The USDA issued the disaster declaration on Feb. 23. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the declaration to apply for emergency loans. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.