Thursday, January 4, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Requests Disaster Declaration for Missouri Farm Families
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns requesting he declare 14 Missouri counties natural disaster areas for agricultural loss due to severe winter storms.
“The winter weather that battered our state last month caused significant losses for Missouri farm families,” Blunt said. “I ask Secretary Johanns to approve this disaster declaration in order to provide assistance to Missouri farmers as they work to recover from these devastating winter storms.”
Based on damage assessment reports submitted by the Missouri Farm Service Agency the governor requested a natural disaster area be declared in Audrain, Callaway, Camden, Dade, Dallas, Laclede, Lawrence, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Polk and Pulaski Counties.
A federal disaster declaration will ensure the farm families impacted by the winter storms are eligible for federal assistance to help with income loss associated with the severe weather.
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