ITHACA, NY (WHCU) – Emergency protections are being extended to local farms.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is opening applications for natural disaster designations in eleven primary counties because of a late spring frost from April 22 through April 27. The designation enables the FSA to offer emergency loans to farms that suffered crop losses from the freeze. The money can be used to replace essential equipment or livestock, reorganize a farming operation, or refinance certain debts.

The FSA will consider applications based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.  Bordering counties are also eligible to apply. Applications must be received by February 23, 2025.

Primary Counties Eligible: Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Saratoga, Schuyler, Tioga, Wayne

Contiguous Counties Eligible: Albany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cortland, Fulton, Genesee, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins, Warren, Washington, Wyoming, Yates