GROWERS TO GET RELIEF; DISASTER AGENCY REASSURES COUNTY FARMERS HIT HARD BY EL NINO.

Byline: David Greenberg Daily News Staff Writer

If $31 million in crop damages from El Nino-driven storms were not enough, Terry Nelson and other perplexed members of the Ventura County farming industry have been waiting months for solid information about what sort of disaster relief is available.

On Thursday, the last day of winter, emergency management officials assured them that funds are available to cover at least some of the crop damage, which is expected to rise.

``It looks good,'' said Nelson, division superintendent for Limoneira Co., one of the county's largest growing, packing and shipping enterprises. ``It's a hopeful sign. It's better than what we've seen in the last . . . two to three weeks (when) there was a lot of uncertainty.''

He said damage totals for loss of land and fruit trees, as well as debris cleanup, will be in the six figures when the assessment is complete.

The Farm Service Agency announced three programs that will provide millions of dollars in relief grants and loans to storm victims who grow, package and ship crops.

``They may not cover 100 percent of the loss, but it's going to help,'' said Jennifer Anderson, regional executive director of the agency, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With the most recent overall damage estimates in Ventura County now at $80 million and with an El Nino-driven storm expected to hit the county next week, additional state and federal funds have been secured for nonfarming-related damages.

Qualifying farmers could begin receiving funds as early as this spring from:

The Emergency Loans program, which allows borrowing up to $500,000 for 80 percent of losses suffered by farmers unable to secure loans from at least two banks.

``If the bank can make a loan, they need to do that first,'' Anderson said.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which provides unlimited grant money for growers when insurance is not available and for those who grow crops that suffered losses of at least 35 percent countywide. To qualify, a farmer must lose 50 percent of the crop, and his gross revenue may not exceed $2 million.

``I anticipate most of the crops are going to qualify,'' Anderson said.

The Emergency Conservation Program, which offers grants for debris removal, restoration of livestock fences and irrigation structures, and regrading of farmland.

Robert Roy, president of the 150-member Ventura County Agricultural Association, said he was concerned that the 50 percent loss and $2 million gross revenue limit will hinder farmers' ability to secure money.

``You can't make that (loss) determination until the end of the season, and you need the funds now,'' he said. ``And some farmers are deserving of the aid but have high-value crops that preclude disaster relief.''

Strawberries, which have been hit the hardest, as well as broccoli, lettuce and celery are among the crops that fetch a high price but not necessarily a high profit.

Tsukasa Arimura, owner of Somis Flower Grower, discovered he does not qualify for loans because he lost only 10 percent of the flowers on the 35-acre tract he leases.

But he is taking his loss of $30,000 to $50,000 in stride.

``This is a nature thing, so I'm not going to complain,'' Arimura said. ``What can I do? As a farmer, I'm prepared for anything. It makes farming a challenge.''

Anderson acknowledged that the programs are not flawless but said the 50 percent loss factor would be tabulated in a 90-day window, allowing farmers to file applications before the end of the harvesting season, which for many crops is the summer.

Of the $2 million loss criteria, she said, ``We very often get complaints about that, but it would take an act of Congress to change that.''