Declaration Requested by Governor Opens Access to Federal Emergency Loan Assistance for Territory’s Farmers
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved his request for a Secretarial drought disaster declaration for the U.S. Virgin Islands, making eligible farmers and agricultural producers across the Territory able to seek federal emergency loan assistance as they cope with prolonged drought conditions.
The USDA notified Governor Bryan on August 20 that St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John have been designated as primary natural disaster areas because of drought conditions documented by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Governor Bryan formally requested the federal declaration earlier this month after persistent dry conditions placed increasing pressure on the Territory’s agricultural community, particularly livestock producers.
“Our farmers are essential to our food security, our economy and our way of life, and when they are hurting, we have an obligation to do everything we can to help,” Governor Bryan said. “That is why I asked the Department of Agriculture to issue this declaration, and I am grateful that the federal government responded to our request. This designation gives our farmers another important resource to help them recover from the impacts of this drought and continue doing the work that feeds and sustains our community.”
The Secretarial disaster designation makes eligible farm operators in the designated areas able to apply for emergency loan assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency. USDA emergency loans are intended to help agricultural producers recover from qualifying losses caused by natural disasters and may be used for needs such as replacing essential equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations or refinancing certain debts.
Farmers have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. Applications are considered individually by the Farm Service Agency based on factors including the extent of production losses, available security and the applicant’s ability to repay.
“This declaration does not make the drought disappear, but it gives our farmers another tool to withstand its effects,” Governor Bryan said. “Our Administration will continue working with our federal partners and our local agricultural community to make sure Virgin Islands farmers know what assistance is available and how to access it.”
The USDA designation follows sustained drought conditions across the Territory. Under USDA criteria, areas may qualify for a drought-related Secretarial disaster designation after experiencing D2 Severe Drought for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 Extreme Drought or D4 Exceptional Drought during the growing season.
Governor Bryan said his Administration will work with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and federal partners to help ensure affected producers receive information about available assistance and application requirements.
Eligible farmers and producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for additional information about emergency loans and other disaster assistance programs.
“This is exactly why we maintain strong partnerships with the federal government and why we act when our community needs help,” Governor Bryan said. “We asked for this declaration on behalf of our farmers, USDA answered that request, and now our focus is making sure the assistance reaches the Virgin Islanders who need it.”
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