Senator Jim Webb
VIRGINIA SENATOR JIM WEBB IS CALLING ON FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO DESIGNATE THE COMMONWEALTH A STATEWIDE AGRICULTURAL DISASTER AREA. ACCORDING TO WEBB, THE DESIGNATION WOULD ENABLE FARMERS AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AFFECTED BY THE RECENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS TO APPLY FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS AND QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. UNDER THE FEDERAL DISASTER DESIGNATION, VIRGINIA FARMERS WHO LOSE 30-PER CENT OF THEIR FARM INCOME WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN LOW-INTEREST LOANS FROM THE U.S. FARM SERVICE AGENCY FOR LOSSES SUSTAINED DURING 2007.