BAINBRIDGE – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for announcing a primary agricultural disaster designation for Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties. This designation, which follows a formal requestmade by Dave and the entire Ohio Congressional delegation, makes farmers in these counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.

“Agriculture is one of Ohio’s top industries with Ohio farms accounting for more than 14 million acres across the Buckeye State and providing a large portion of the country’s source of corn, wheat and soybeans,” said Dave. “Simply put, Ohio’s agricultural industry is vitally important to both our nation’s food security and economic well-being. Unfortunately, our farms have been devastated by historic rainfall, flooding and tornados. I commend the USDA for recognizing how this year’s severe weather has crippled Ohio farmers and look forward to seeing this disaster designation help lift the economic strain off of them, their families and communities.” 

On June 6, 2019, President Trump signed supplemental appropriations for disaster relief into law, which provides assistance for farmers who have incurred losses due to natural disasters. Not long after, on June 19, Dave wrote to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdueto bring to his attention the destructive impact natural disasters have had on farms across Ohio this year and request that recently approved disaster relief resources approved by the President be used to assist Ohio’s farmers.

The Ashtabula-Geauga-Lake County FSA office can provide affected farmers with further information. The office, located at 33 Grand Valley Avenue in Orwell, Ohio, can be reached at (888) 217-3947 or (440) 437-6330.

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