Published: July 18, 2008 10:08 pm            

Our View: Relief for farmers

While it does not exactly offer free money, the recent declaration of many counties within Illinois as agricultural disaster areas will offer some much-needed relief to farmers. The declaration means those farmers who can show a 50-percent loss of guaranteed revenue may be eligible for low-interest loans to help get through the season.

The loans are exactly that — loans — and therefore will require repayment. However, it could be much worst for farmers who depend on the land for their livelihood. The farm bill of 2008, approved by Congress, allows for the emergency loans that will more than likely become a hot commodity among farmers. According to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who made the declaration for 91 counties within the state earlier this week, “[the loans] can be used not only to pay production costs but also to refinance existing debt and cover essential family living expenses.”

For some in the state, continual flooding meant the planting of no crops whatsoever. This declaration will not only help those farmers, but those who at least made the effort amid non-conforming weather conditions.

This declaration and assistance is hardly a cure-all for farmers, but it is an effort to at least minimize damage done by the recent flooding.

        

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