Applications for emergency farm loans for damages and losses caused by hail, high winds and lightning that occurred April 24 or Feb. 10-11 are being accepted at the Farm Service Agency office in Hamilton County.

Lampasas County has been declared eligible for FSA disaster emergency loans

Farmers may be eligible for up to 100 percent of their actual losses or the operating loan needed to continue the agriculture business, whichever is less.

For farmers unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders, the interest rate is 3.75, said D. Dale Vann Sr., FSA farm loan manager.

Applications for loans under the emergency designation will be accepted until Dec. 24, but farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid a backlog that could go into the new farming season.

The FSA office is at 297 E. Highway 22 in Hamilton and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, phone (254) 386-3913.