Sebelius seeks assistance for Morris County farmers, ranchers
Governor requests agricultural disaster designation for county

To assist farmers and ranchers in Morris County, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has requested U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns add the county to a previously-declared agricultural disaster area.

“Morris County farmers experienced a smaller fall harvest due to drought, high winds and extremely high temperatures,” Sebelius said.  “Hay and alfalfa production were also affected, and some ranchers had reduce their cattle herds as a result.”

With a disaster declaration, farmers and ranchers will be eligible for emergency loans to cover up to 100 percent of actual production and physical losses to a maximum of $500,000 at an interest rate of 3.75 percent. 

The text of the Governor’s letter follows:

February 22, 2007

Secretary Mike Johanns
United States Department of Agriculture
14th Street & Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC  20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

A few months ago, you issued disaster designations S2413 and S2485 for physical and production losses caused by drought, excessive winds and high temperatures over parts of Kansas from January 1, 2006, and continuing through the time of my requests. 

After you issued these two disaster designations, I learned that Morris County also has been impacted by the same series of adverse conditions.  Therefore, I request that Morris County be declared a disaster area for production losses due to drought, excessive wind and high temperatures.

Like the other counties already designated disaster areas, Morris County experienced periods of severe dry weather followed by periods of extremely high winds and high temperatures from January 1, 2006, forward.  This resulted significant production losses in fall-harvested crops.  Hay and alfalfa production also were impacted, and some producers had to reduce their cattle herds as a result. 

Designating Morris County an agricultural disaster will make farmers and ranchers eligible for low-interest loans through USDA’s Farm Service Agency and will help agribusiness operators recover from the devastating effects of extreme weather. 

This request reflects the recommendation of the USDA State Emergency Board of Kansas.  USDA Natural Disaster Damage Assessment Reports will follow as soon as they are available. I designate Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky my representative concerning this request.  You may contact him at (785) 296-3902.

Sincerely,
/S
Kathleen Sebelius
Governor of Kansas    

KS:lkt
cc:        Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky
            Kansas FSA Director Bill Fuller
            Kansas Adjutant General Tod Bunting

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