USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has issued a disaster declaration for three Illinois counties following tornadoes that struck in July. The counties affected include Marshall, Putnam, and Henry. This declaration enables affected farmers to apply for emergency loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency. Residents in these and contiguous counties are urged to contact their local USDA Service Center to check eligibility for assistance. Counties contiguous to Marshall, Putnam, and Henry counties include Bureau, Knox, LaSalle, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside, and Woodford.
“We appreciate the joint efforts of Governor JB Pritzker, Secretary Vilsack and the USDA to ensure Illinois farmers receive support to recover from these destructive storms,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director. “Producers in declared counties should contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm eligibility.”
Tornadoes struck Marshall and Putnam counties on July 14 and 15, 2024, and Henry County on July 15.
A Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. Those eligible should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask questions or file a Notice of Loss.
