TOWANDA, PA. - Sheryl L. Potocek, Farm Loan Manager for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Wayne, Carbon, Monroe and Luzerne counties announced that farmers in these counties are eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA because Pennsylvania was declared a Presidential Major Disaster area due to losses caused by Tropical Storm Lee occurring from September 3 and continuing.

“The designation was signed on 09/12/2011 which means farmers have until 05/14/2012 to apply for the loan,” said FLM, Potocek. “FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.”

According to FLM Potocek, emergency loans can be used to: restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming operation and; refinance certain debts.

In addition to requiring that a farmer own or operate land located in the counties declared by the President as a disaster area or designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a disaster area or quarantine area, FLM Potocek says producers need to demonstrate they are an established family farm operator and have sufficient farming or ranching experience; are citizens or permanent residents of the United States; have suffered at least a 30-percent loss in crop production or a physical loss to livestock, livestock products, real estate, or chattel property; have an acceptable credit history; are unable to receive credit from commercial sources; can provide collateral to secure the loan; and have repayment ability.

“Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of physical losses, to a maximum of $500,000.00” says FLM Potocek. “The current interest rate is just 2.125 percent.”

FLM Potocek says loans for crop, livestock, and non-real estate losses are normally repaid within 1 to 7 years; depending on the loan purpose, repayment ability, and collateral available as loan security. In special circumstances, terms of up to 20 years may be authorized. Loans for physical losses to real estate are normally repaid within 30 years. In certain circumstances, repayment may be made over a maximum or 40 years.

USDA also has made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; the Emergency Conservation Program; Federal Crop Insurance; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

“Interested farmers may contact us at 200 Lake Rd, STE D, Towanda, PA 18848 or phone 570-265-6969, Ext. 2,” said FLM Potocek. “Additional information is also available online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.”

Following are the August Pennsylvania Lottery Winners for Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. State records show $154,748.00 was paid out in winnings.

Christine Seitz of Honesdale took home the most - $50,000 - from “Diamond Millionaire.” Loren L. Stone of Thompson scored $11,696 from “Super 7 Winners.”

Listed below are notable winners from the August Pennsylvania Lottery website.

Susquehanna County

James G. Flynn, Hop Bottom, $10,000 from “Powerball.”

Sami M. Bourizk, Hallstead, $2,500 from “Daily Big 4.”

Joseph Leon, Montrose, $1,000 from “Pure Gold.”

Amy S. Glover, Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Big Winner Spectacular.”

Joan P. Arthur, Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Million Dollar Mega Multiplier.”

Dennis Korty, Union Dale, $1,000 from “Mustang.”

Caitlin Carney, Montrose, $1,000 from “Pure Gold.”

Joseph Pleva, Montrose, $1,000 from “100 Million Cash Extravaganza.”

Rosemarie A. Sydlosky, New Milford, $1,000 from “Million Dollar Cash Fever.”

Angela R. Hadden, Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Hot $100,000.”

Wayne County

Christian J. Schwartz, Honesdale, $1,052 from “Match 6.”

Herman E. Robinson, Lake Ariel, $2,500 from “Evening Big 4.”

Cynthia J. Williams, Lake Ariel, $2,500 from “Evening Big 4.”

Robert A. Sloss, Hamlin, $2,500 from “Evening Big 4.”

Glenn A. Yetter, Beach Lake, $10,000 from “Million Dollar Mega Multiplier.”

Ronald W. Nitzky, Lake Ariel, $10,000 from “Diamonds And 7S.”

Anthony J. Krochta, Hawley, $10,000 from “10X The Money.”

Amanda L. Simyan, Lake Ariel, $10,000 from “Million Dollar Mega Multiplier.”

Mary A. Nieves, Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Mustang.”

Mary D. Bardi, Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Stephanie Jessicazuvic, Hawley, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Christina L. Clemo, Honesdale, $1,000 from “Hot $100,000.”

Alan R. Wilcox, Honesdale, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Gerard Costello, Equinunk, $1,000 from “100 Million Cash Extravaganza.”

Richard Georgs, Beach Lake, $1,000 from “20X The Money.”

Thomas Maher, Hamlin, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Daryl B. Leas, East Berlin, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Andrew T. Spangler, East Berlin, $1,000 from “Pure Gold.”

Daniel E. Bateson, East Berlin, $1,000 from “Mustang.”

Mary Enslin, Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Pure Gold.”

Scott A. Phillips, East Berlin, $1,000 from “10X The Money.”

Steven E. Ferguson, Hamlin, $1,000 from “10,000 A Month For Life.”

Marie Wormuth, Poyntelle, $1,000 from “Stacks Of Cash.”

Glenn A. Yetter, Beach Lake, $1,000 from “Million Dollar Mega Multiplier.”

Alex W. Seaman, Honesdale, $1,000 from “Platinum Crossword.”

Dolores A. Desimone, Beach Lake, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Wyoming County

Randy L. Brown, Meshoppen, $1,000 from “ Stacks Of Cash.”

Bernard S. Ostrowsky, Meshoppen, $1,000 from “$100 Million Cash Extravaganza.”

Edward J. Watts, Meshoppen, $1,000 from “50,000 Birthday Cash.”

Jody M. White, Nicholson, $1,000 from “Million Dollar Mega Multiplier.”

David E. Ferris, Mehoopany, $1,000 from “Platinum Crossword.”

For the fiscal year 2009-2010, The Pennsylvania Lottery paid $815,546 out to Susquehanna County for Long-Term Living Services (Dept. Of Public Welfare), $739,935 to Wayne County and $389,587 to Wyoming County.

As residents of Susquehanna County hit by the recent flood return to their homes, the United Way of Susquehanna County is encouraging them to contact their office if they need help. The United Way of Susquehanna County is here to help rebuild and has established a fund for flood relief that will help those affected by the flood to purchase items for their homes or items to help them rebuild. With help from a few local hardware stores, the United Way was able to purchase gift certificates to give to flood victims. The United Way of Susquehanna County is also distributing flood buckets containing various cleaning products.

Over $42,000 has currently been raised thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies who have joined the effort. The United Way of Susquehanna County would like to grow that amount so that those affected can be better served.

Many of our friends and neighbors have been devastated by this flood and now for the first time many find themselves in need. The United Way of Susquehanna County is committed to being there for our community through this crisis and into the recovery period.

Those wishing to donate to the United Way of Susquehanna County may do so by contacting their office at (570) 465-3868 or visiting their website www.UnitedWayOfSusquehannaCounty.org. Donations may also be mailed to: United Way of Susquehanna County at P.O. Box 365, New Milford, PA 18834.

Contact information for those affected by the flood:

American Red Cross: Provides emergency assistance and referrals for clothes and supplies; (570) 278-1427.

Susquehanna County Interfaith: Provides emergency assistance and referrals for building supplies; (570) 278-1776.

FEMA: Apply for FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or online at www.Disasterassistance.gov.

United Way of Susquehanna County: Provides flood buckets with various cleaning products, health kits and gift certificates for building supplies; (570) 465-3868.

Emergency Management Agency: For up to date disaster information please log on to www.susqco.com, click on “Emergency Management.”

Clean up kits are also available at these distribution sites: Great Bend Fire Company; Little Meadows Fire Company; Lanesboro Community Center.