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| For immediate release: July
18, 2006 |
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| Contact: |
Governor's Communications Office (360) 902-4136 |
P.O. Box 42560,
Olympia, Washington 98504-2560 |
|
Jason Kelly (360) 902-1815 |
|
|
This news release is also available as a
PDF. |
Governor Gregoire Requests Federal Disaster Assistance for
Farmers in Five Washington Counties
OLYMPIA – OLYMPIA – Governor Chris Gregoire today asked United
States Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to designate five counties
in Washington as farm disaster areas, making farmers eligible for
emergency low-interest loans. Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Lincoln and
Okanogan counties experienced crop losses due to weather related losses
during a severe storm on July 4-6.
“I have seen initial reports of significant damage to apple, pear and
cherry orchards, as well as reports of damaged wheat, potatoes and hay,”
said Governor Gregoire. “We need this disaster declaration so we can
learn the full extent of the damage and begin the process of recovery. I
have urged Secretary Johanns to act quickly on this request so our
farmers can receive timely aid.”
The damage to orchards and field crops was the result of excessive rain,
high winds, hail and lightning, followed in some areas by excessive
heat. These events severely affected a number of Washington agricultural
producers in certain areas, but the overall condition of most crops
continues to be very good.
The declaration could provide emergency low-interest USDA Farm Service
Agency loans to cover production and farm property losses to farmers in
the primary counties as well as adjoining counties.
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