USDA Offers Low-Interest Loans for Agricultural Producers in Tennessee Impacted by Natural Disasters

May 22, 2020
By:

Tennessee agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these low-interest loans to agricultural producers in Wilson County who incurred losses due to tornadoes that occurred on April 25, 2020. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only, including the loss of buildings and livestock. Applications are due by Jan. 8, 2021.

“Tennessee’s hardworking ag producers feed our neighbors, the nation and the world,” said State Executive Director Mike Mayfield. “When they suffer losses because of extreme weather, helping them get back on their feet is important. We encourage those affected to reach out to their local USDA Service Center to apply for these emergency loans.”

Producers in the contiguous Tennessee counties of Cannon, Davidson, DeKalb, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Physical loss loans can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

For more information on FSA disaster assistance programs or to find your local USDA Service Center visit farmers.gov/recover.

May 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School system’s weekly drive through “meals for kids” program at DCHS, DeKalb Middle School, and DeKalb West School ended Thursday, May 21 but the Summer Food Service Program will be June 1-30 at different locations.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)

Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:

*MONDAYS

11:00 a.m.- 11:15 a.m.: Bell Street Apartments

11:20 a.m.-11:35 a.m.: Brookview Apartments

11:40 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Smithville Housing Authority (Jackson Street Area)

12:00 Noon-12:15 p.m.: Short Mountain Village (Near Office)

12:20 p.m.-12:35 p.m.: Smithville Housing Authority (Morgan Drive Area)

12:40 p.m.-12:55 p.m.: Greenbrook Park (Fisher Avenue Side)

1:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m.: Evans Manor Apartments

*TUESDAYS

11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Alexandria City Site (Parking lot on Edgewood Street (Near Liberty State Bank)

11:35 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Alexandria Housing Authority

12:10 p.m.-12:30 p.m.: Liberty Community Center

12:40 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: Dowelltown Community Center

During the drive through distribution at the schools, 57,948 school meals were served to area children. They also received food donations from local churches and the school backpack program.

“A huge “Thank you” goes to the area churches, local police force, school cafeteria and transportation employees, central office and school administration, teachers, and all others who contributed to ensure that our students had access to meals during the school closure,” said School Nutrition Supervisor Amy Lattimore.

May 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb West School 8th grade class has been honored in a recognition ceremony that is now available on YouTube Channel: Sean Antoniak. Due to social distancing guidelines, the awards ceremony was taped last Friday with Principal Sabrina Farler, Assistant Principal Joey Agee and a few teachers. Students picked up their awards and other items from school in a drive-through Monday (May 18).

(View Video Below)