29 September 2005

Governor: Help for Kansas farmers is on the way
USDA grants Governor’s request for agricultural disaster designation

Agriculture is a major part of the Kansas economy, and Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced today farmers in ten Kansas counties that suffered weather-related crop damage are now eligible for assistance. Ellsworth, Geary, Gove, Greeley, Jewell, Osage, Riley, Russell, Trego and Wabaunsee were declared agricultural disaster areas due to continued heat, drought and high winds.

“We’ve seen many fields get hit hard by the weather. That has a real impact on farmers and on rural communities. I requested federal help for our farmers, and that help is now available,” Governor Sebelius said. “Agriculture is critical to the Kansas economy and we will continue to do whatever we can to help farmers and ranchers prosper.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns granted these declarations for crop damage caused by drought, late-spring freeze, excessive heat and high winds.

The disaster designation will make qualified farm operators in the designated counties, and counties contiguous to them, eligible for low-interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

Contiguous counties are: