FSA loans available for tornado damage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced the availability of low-interest physical loss loans for producers affected by the Feb. 8 and Feb. 27 tornadoes in Illinois.

Primary counties eligible from the Feb. 4 tornado are Marshall and Putnam. Contiguous counties also eligible are Bureau, La Salle, Peoria, Stark and Woodford.

The primary county eligible from the Feb. 27 tornado is Henry County. Contiguous counties eligible are Bureau, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark and Whiteside.

The application deadline for those impacted by the Feb. 8 tornado is Jan. 20, 2025. The application deadline for those counties impacted by the Feb. 27 tornado is Jan. 31, 2025.

The low-interest loans are provided to help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses.

Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

To file a notice of loss or to ask questions about the available programs, contact the local USDA Service Center.