Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that Grant and Luna Counties have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to drought and high winds that occurred during the period of January 1, 2009, and continuing.

Additionally, the counties of Catron, Dona Ana, Hidalgo, and Sierra are also eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to Grant and Luna counties.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in the eligible counties now qualify to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"I am pleased the USDA is lending a helping hand to farmers and ranchers in southern New Mexico who have been affected by extreme weather in the area," Bingaman said.

Bingaman also said the counties of Catron, Cibola, Grant, Hidalgo, McKinley and San Juan were declared as eligible for disaster aid due to their proximity to Arizona, which received its own disaster declaration due to drought conditions this year.

For more information or to determine eligibility for a low interest loan contact the local USDA Farm Service Center.