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Winneshiek, area counties declared disaster areas
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CopyWinneshiek and its surrounding counties are among 22 Iowa counties proclaimed disaster areas by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Among the designated area counties are Winneshiek, Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette and Howard. Other counties included: Benton, Bremer, Butler, Clarke, Clay, Decatur, Delaware, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne, and the 35 counties contiguous to the above list.
Last month, Governor Chet Culver wrote to Vilsack, requesting a secretarial disaster designation following damage to crops and significant production losses due to severe storms between May 15 and July, 31.
"I want to thank Secretary Vilsack and USDA for issuing these declarations," said Culver.
"Thanks to his action, Iowa's farmers and the entire agriculture community now have access to much needed disaster following this summer's severe weather. As governor, I will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure that Iowa farmers have the tools and resources they need to return their lives to normal."
The declarations were made after assessments on crop and agriculture losses were done throughout the state. The Secretarial Designation will expand eligibility for individuals in the affected and contiguous counties for additional USDA assistance, including resources available through the SURE permanent disaster program, created in the 2008 Farm Bill. Iowans are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Administration office for further information.
Copyright 2009 The Decorah Journal, Decorah, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2009 The Decorah Journal Decorah, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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