PROVIDENCE – Federal aid is now available for Rhode Island farmers after the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a drought disaster across the entire state.
The USDA declaration on Monday makes federal assistance available to eligible Rhode Island farmers and agricultural producers that have been negatively impacted by the drought. Assistance includes low-interest emergency loans for qualified farm operators. Farmers and producers have eight months to apply for emergency loans and can get more information at USDA’s Rhode Island Farm Service Agency office.
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“This prolonged drought has been tough on many Rhode Island farmers, harming the yield and quality of crops,” U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said in announcing the aide. “It’s really important that we support farmers who are feeling the heat of this drought. This federal declaration is good news for the state and should help mitigate some of the production losses local farmers are facing.”
Reed also encouraged state and local governments to utilize federal funds that have already been provided to Rhode Island through the American Rescue Plan Act to help farmers rebound from the economic hardships caused by the pandemic.
According to data from the National Weather Service, less than a half inch of rain fell on Rhode Island in July, compared with to the historical average of 2.5 inches.
The USDA drought declaration applies to and was made based on severe drought designations by the federal U.S. Drought Monitor, which uses data from a coalition of national scientists and agriculture organizations.
U.S. Drought Monitor uses a five-tiered drought classification system: abnormally dry, moderate, severe, extreme, and exceptional. Currently, the federal agency classifies 99.1% of Rhode Island as experiencing “extreme” drought.
