Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that 31 of New Mexico's 33 counties have been designated a disaster due to losses caused by a drought which began last October. 

Farmers and ranchers are now eligible to be considered for low interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

"Extended drought conditions can have devastating effects on the livelihood of our state's farmers and ranchers.  I am pleased the federal government is making low-interest loans available to help New Mexico produces get back on their feet," Bingaman said.

There were no crop losses in Los Alamos County and therefore it was excluded.  Cibola County's designation as a primary disaster area is still pending, but is eligible for disaster aid since it is contiguous to counties that were designated.

For information contact your local FSA office or visit the following website:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=nm&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing