Disaster aid available for Central Virginia farmers

By Justin Faulconer

Published: October 20, 2008

Farmers in Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson counties hit hard by this year’s drought and high temperatures are eligible for federal assistance, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Monday.

Those counties — along with Amelia, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Louisa, Nottoway, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward counties — have been designated primary natural disaster areas.

The designation means eligible farmers can seek low-interest loans and other forms of federal assistance offered through their local Farm Service Agency.

The cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and Appomattox County received contiguous disaster status because of their proximity.

So far this year, the Lynchburg area has received 23 inches of rain. That’s about one-third less than the average rainfall total of nearly 36 inches.

In 11 years as Bedford County’s extension agent, Scott Baker said in all but two of those years the area

“unfortunately” sought a disaster declaration due to weather. While he said he didn’t know of any farmers who had to leave the profession, it has definitely put an additional strain on their finances.

“They’ll see a reduction in performance, more than anything else,” Baker said.

Farmers’ input prices for fuel and fertilizer also are going up, which Baker said only adds to the overall struggles.

Bedford has seen widespread and substantial damage to crops and pastures, along with injuries to fruit due to hailstorms.

In July, hail resembling “broken glass” damaged Barry Arrington’s third-generation family orchard near the Peaks of Otter, causing apples to sell at discount prices.

The previous year, it was an early spring frost that he said doomed the harvest.

Jeff Powers, chairman of a county agricultural advisory board that corresponds with local officials, said that loans with little interest open up doors for farmers who need it.

Provisions of pasture and hay for livestock are among the most pressing needs, he said, and the hardest to get assistance for.

“We’re still way behind on feed resources,” Powers said. “Anything is a big help.”