November 18, 2011

Gov. Nixon requests disaster declaration from USDA to help farmers in seven northwest, west central counties impacted by hail, strong winds and storms in August

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon today asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to designate seven Missouri counties in the northwest and west central parts of the state as primary disaster areas. The designation will permit assistance from the USDA's Farm Service Agency to farmers in those counties who suffered losses to crops and property after hail, strong winds and severe storms moved through those areas in August.

The counties requested by the Governor are Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Lafayette, Nodaway, Pettis and Platte. The request is based on damage assessments completed by the Farm Service Agency, at the request of the Governor.

"These counties experienced severe storms from Aug. 18 through Aug. 22, affecting farmers' crops such as corn, soybeans and alfalfa," Gov. Nixon said. "Those farmers who lost income because of the losses could be eligible for much-needed assistance if this request to the USDA is granted."   

Primary disaster counties are those that lose at least 30 percent of the estimated yield of a single crop, or where individual farmers suffer production losses of more than 30 percent.

A disaster designation would allow eligible farmers to be considered for assistance from the USDA's Farm Service Agency. Farmers who qualify would receive FSA emergency loans or assistance from the federal Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program. Affected farmers would apply to FSA, which considers each application individually on its merits. Farmers in counties contiguous to primary disaster areas also could be eligible for assistance.