Four Middle Tennessee Counties Approved For Federal Farm Assistance
admin | July 10, 2009, 0:00 | No Comments »
NASHVILLE* Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the U.S. Department
of Agriculture has approved his request for federal farm assistance for
four Middle Tennessee counties due to heavy rains and extensive flooding
that occurred in May. Counties designated a natural disaster for
agriculture include Bedford, Hickman, Moore and Perry.
*This designation will be important for helping farmers in these areas
mitigate their losses stemming from some of the heavy rains that were
experienced early in the growing season,* said Bredesen. *I*m pleased
that USDA recognizes the difficulties these farmers are facing and has
acted so promptly to this request.*
Lewis County was requested but not approved as a primary natural
disaster county because of insufficient losses according to USDA.
However, as a contiguous natural disaster county, farmers in Lewis
County are eligible to apply for USDA Farm Service Agency loan
assistance.
Other contiguous qualifying counties include Benton, Coffee, Decatur,
Dickson, Franklin, Humphreys, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Rutherford,
Wayne and Williamson.
Bredesen made the request on June 3 to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack. A primary natural disaster designation makes farmers
eligible to apply for assistance through their local Farm Service
Agency. Qualifying farmers are eligible to be considered for emergency
loans, livestock assistance and supplemental farm payments as provided
by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
Farmers in these areas suffered crop losses reported in excess of 30
percent, including hay and pastures. Farmers also reported significant
damage to farm equipment and structures.
For a weekly report on crop conditions across the state, visit
www.nass.usda.gov/tn. The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes this
report available each Monday at 3 p.m. CDT, April through November.
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