Farmers in 20 Washington Counties that were declared disaster
areas as a result of extreme weather last April, and farmers in 12
“contiguous” counties, including Mason County, are eligible for
federal disaster funding, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Murray announced
Tuesday.
“The losses in these counties were caused by the combined
effects of excessive rain, frosts, freezes, unseasonably cold
weather and high winds. Tree fruits, vegetables, hay and wheat were
particularly damaged,” reads the press release from both senators.
“Farmers in both the primary and contiguous counties are eligible
to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA),
as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE)
Program. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months from the date
of the Secretarial disaster declaration for apply for emergency
loan assistance. People seeking more information should contact
their local FSA offices.”
For the complete release. see below.
Chris Henry, reporter
****************
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2011
Contact:
Cantwell: (202) 224-8277
Murray: (202) 224-2834
Cantwell, Murray: WA Farmers Eligible for Assistance for 2010
Losses
20 counties given federal USDA disaster designation; can receive
assistance for losses suffered from extreme weather
SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and
Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that farmers in 20 Washington state
counties are now eligible to apply for emergency assistance to
offset losses suffered during extreme weather conditions in April
2010. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Adams,
Benton, Chelan, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, Grant,
Grays Harbor, Island, Klickitat, Pacific, San Juan, Skagit,
Snohomish, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima Counties as
primary disaster areas, making farmers and producers in these areas
eligible to apply for USDA emergency funding. Cantwell, Murray, and
the rest of the Washington delegation wrote Agriculture Secretary
Thomas Vilsack in July, supporting of Governor Christine Gregoire’s
June request for immediate disaster designations stemming from the
weather-related losses.
“Washington’s farmers suffered severe losses after last spring’s
severe weather,” Senator Cantwell said. “This federal assistance
will help farmers maintain productive farms while they recover and
rebuild after last year’s storms. I encourage our farmers to take
advantage of this emergency aid.”
“Washington state farmers have been hit hard this season, and I
am very glad that they are now going to get the support they need
to get back on their feet,” said Senator Murray.
The losses in these counties were caused by the combined effects
of excessive rain, frosts, freezes, unseasonably cold weather and
high winds. Tree fruits, vegetables, hay and wheat were
particularly damaged.
In addition to the twenty counties that have been designated as
primary natural disaster areas, twelve counties have been named
contiguous disaster counties: Garfield, Jefferson, King, Kittitas,
Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and
Whitman. Farmers in both the primary and contiguous counties are
eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service
Agency (FSA), as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance
Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months
from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration for apply for
emergency loan assistance. People seeking more information should
contact their local FSA offices.
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