Recovery Act Allocates Millions for Direct Operating Loans to Farmers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Carrie Novak, Farm Loan Chief for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts announced today that FSA will immediately use $145 million of the $173 million provided in the Recovery Act for its Direct Operating Farm Loan Program, which will give 2,042 farmers - almost 50% are beginning farmers and 10% are socially disadvantaged producers - direct loans from the agency.

"These loans will be used to purchase items such as farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel and other operating expenses and will stimulate rural economies by providing American farmers funds to operate," said Novak.

All remaining funding will be allocated through approved loans until all available funds have been expended. Applications are considered on a first come, first served basis with special emphasis placed on beginning and socially disadvantaged applicants. The maximum loan amount is $300,000.

In keeping with the president's goal for the Recovery Act, this loan funding is intended for proper investment into the agricultural sector, to benefit both family farmers and rural economies. The Recovery Act was designed to preserve or create millions of jobs throughout the country and these loans help ensure that recipients remain financially viable and local agri-businesses benefit from direct purchases.

Here is a hypothetical example of purchases made with a $100,000 direct operating loan:

* Used Farm Tractor: $45,000
* Livestock: $18,000
* Seed: $15,000
* Fertilizer: $10,000
* Fuel: $12,000

The effect of this loan reaches the local implement dealership, sale barn, the grain seed distributor, the fertilizer distributor and a local fuel dealership.

For specific information on direct operating loans and other FSA Farm Loan Programs, current or potential farmers should contact their Farm Loan Program representatives through their county FSA Office. For instance, farmers in Berkshire County should contact Randy Kleiner or Beverly Rice in the Hadley Service Center at(413)585-1000. More information is available at the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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