FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 19, 2008
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer today joined Governor Steve Beshear in calling for federal aid for Kentucky farmers affected by the current drought in the Commonwealth.
“I appreciate Gov. Beshear’s request for a disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I suggest that USDA also make aid available for farmers whose crops were flattened during the wind storm last Sunday. I pledge to work with USDA and Kentucky’s congressional delegation to get Kentucky farmers the aid they need to get through this growing season.”
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has received reports that corn and tobacco crops in western Kentucky were heavily damaged by last Sunday’s wind storm. The Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported earlier this week that yield estimates for corn, soybeans and hay have declined because of the drought.
The Palmer Drought Index placed the central and bluegrass regions of Kentucky in mild drought and eastern Kentucky in moderate drought as of Monday.
Commissioner Farmer repeated his call for permanent federal funding for agricultural disaster relief. “Farmers must be able to get the help they need quickly and with a minimum of red tape,” Commissioner Farmer said.
No comments:
Post a Comment