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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Barb Haley (R)

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Legislative Update: Resources for Farmers

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As a result of the heavy snowfall we’ve received this winter, dozens of dairy barns have collapsed in recent weeks around the state. Many of these have been in our area and southeastern Minnesota.

I recently heard from an insurance agent in Goodhue who, in the last week alone, has had ten farmers endure barn collapses. Including damage to machinery and livestock in the collapsed buildings, some farmers are seeing losses exceeding $1 million. Also, as a result of their barns collapsing, some dairy farmers are being left with no place to keep or milk their cows and are being forced to sell their herds for much less than they're worth.

In light of these losses, I wanted to send out information on various resources offered by the state and federal government that can help provide aid and relief to farmers after these hardships. If you know a farmer affected by a barn collapse, I’d encourage you to please pass this email and these resources along to them.

In addition, the legislature is looking at additional assistance by expanding the state’s disaster recovery loan program. This proposal would make owners of collapsed barns eligible for no-interest loans to help them recover. 

Resources

Link to list of Rural Finance Authority (RFA) loans along with a link specifically for the Disaster Recovery Loan Program:

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/financebudget/agfinance

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/disasterloan

Information on the Livestock Indemnity Program:

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2018/livestock_indemnity_program_fact_sheet_dec_2018.pdf

List of programs that USDA FSA offers, including Disaster Protection and Recovery resources:

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/fact-sheets/index

Guide on roof collapse prevention: https://extension.umn.edu/farm-safety/preventing-ag-building-roof-collapses-snow-and-ice?fbclid=IwAR0aRWsHsBhAn1JMHidOG4LjwbJDxJNKdbjhLQz6VEPo8Xo-Kaq7Dmq0llQ

If you or someone you know were affected by any of these recent accidents, I hope these links are helpful. Please contact me if you have any further questions regarding available resources for farmers.

Sincerely,

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