USDA Offering Drought Loans in 4 Nevada Counties

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Federal agriculture officials have declared Storey County a primary natural disaster area due to drought, making farmers and ranchers in four Nevada counties eligible for emergency loans to bolster their operations.

Farm Service Agency chief Clint Koble in Reno said the declaration gives eligible agricultural businesses in Storey, Lyon and Washoe counties and Carson City eight months to apply for low-interest federal loans.

Koble says farm and ranch operators can use the money can to cover the costs of nearly any actual loss due to drought.

That could include replenishing depleted herds of livestock or digging deeper wells.

Agency officials consider the extent of losses, loan security and repayment ability.