CARSON CITY – Nevada today affirmed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s automatic drought disaster declaration, which applies to all 17 Nevada counties.

The disaster designation makes all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency loans. Additionally, today the USDA announced new flexibility and assistance in the agency’s major conservation programs to get much-needed help to livestock producers and plans to encourage crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums.

USDA’s announcement allows flexibility within four programs: the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and the Federal Crop Insurance Program.

According to the Nevada State Division of Emergency Management, Division of Water Resources and the State Climatology Office, current conditions in Nevada primarily affect agriculture, wildlife and wildfire. The conditions are not affecting municipal water systems, groundwater availability for municipal water systems or future commercial economic development.

“I encourage affected Nevada farmers and ranchers to contact the federal Farm Service Agency’s state office for assistance,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said. “At a state level, I have authorized the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center as an information center and to help coordinate the response. Additionally, I’ve directed state agencies to work with the federal government to ensure Nevadans receive the assistance they need.”

Affected Nevada farmers and ranchers can contact the federal Farm Service Agency state office in Reno at (775) 784-5411, extension 117, or on the web.