Friday, June 29, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt's Request Approved by USDA for Freeze Disaster Relief for Missouri Farmers
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sec. Mike Johanns approved his request for a disaster designation for 104 Missouri counties due to losses caused by a severe freeze that occurred in March and April 2007. Ten additional counties were named as contiguous disaster counties bringing the total to 114 counties in Missouri eligible for assistance.
"I want to thank Sec. Johanns for approving this disaster declaration and our request for assistance," Blunt said. "This disaster declaration is good news for Missouri farmers as they recover from the freeze damage that occurred on their farms."
The disaster declaration by the USDA will make farmers in all Missouri counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) if eligibility requirements are met. Local FSA offices will be able to provide Missouri farmers with additional information on the low-interest loans.