Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Contact: Brian Hauswirth, 573-751-0290
Blunt Expands Request for Damage Assessments to Help Missouri Farm Families Recover from Deadly Storm
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today expanded his request for damage assessment reports to include 12 Missouri counties faced with agricultural loss due to this month’s deadly winter storm. The damage reports are the first step to securing federal aid for Missouri farm families affected by the severe weather.
“Missouri farmers and ranchers were strongly affected by severe winter weather that pounded the area on December 1, with heavy snowfall and ice accumulation leading to the collapse of several livestock buildings,” Blunt said. “There were numerous reports of barn collapses, mainly involving poultry producers.”
The Farm Service Agency will complete the assessments to determine if the counties qualify to be declared natural disaster areas for agricultural loss. Today’s call expands the request to include assessments for Dade, Lawrence, Dallas and Osage Counties. The governor’s original request for assessments to Missouri Farm Service Agency state executive director Tim Kelley included Callaway, Camden, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Polk and Pulaski Counties. The original request was based on a review of United States Department of Agriculture Flash Situation Reports. The governor asked Kelley today to expand the assessments. Blunt requested the assessments to ensure Missouri’s farm families have access to federal assistance to help with income loss associated with the winter storm.
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