Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s announcement that eight New Hampshire counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas, stemming from losses suffered because of freeze and  unseasonably warm temperatures in February, March and April of this year.

“I am committed to making sure New Hampshire’s farmers have access to the federal assistance they need and deserve, and I have fought to do just that through my work on the House Agriculture Committee,” Congresswoman Kuster said. “I welcome today’s decision to designate eight New Hampshire counties as primary natural disaster areas. The Granite State is suffering from a historic drought, and many of our famers and communities are hurting as a result. As I’ve visited farms across our state, I have heard directly from New Hampshire farmers and agriculture leaders about the challenges the drought has created for them. I look forward to working with the USDA and Granite State farmers to ensure they receive the funds they need quickly and efficiently to mitigate crop losses.”

Today’s announcement affects Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan Counties. Carroll and Coos were named contiguous disaster counties.  Farmers in these counties are now eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.

A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congresswoman Kuster has long fought for measures to help New Hampshire’s farming industry.  She has learned about the impact of drought conditions during recent visits to DS Cole Growers in Loudon, Dimond Hill Farm in Concord and Normanton Grass-fed Beef in Litchfield, among other farms.  And she has advocated for increased federal assistance through outreach to the USDA and the N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.

Congresswoman Kuster encourages farmers who need assistance with the application process to contact her Concord office at 603-226-1002.

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