Press Release - Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Press Releases
No Data
Governor's Request for Agricultural Disaster Declaration Approved
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that federal disaster assistance is now available to help farmers in 44 Illinois counties who suffered crop losses last year because of drought.
The United States Department of Agriculture has granted the governor's request to designate 23 counties as natural disaster areas. The designation qualifies farmers in those counties, as well as 21 contiguous counties, for USDA assistance programs, including low-interest emergency loans.
"While farmers in many parts of the state harvested record crops, farmers in west and southwest Illinois suffered significant production losses because of drought," Gov. Blagojevich said. "High grain prices will offset some of the losses, but the assistance provided by this declaration could be crucial for those farmers whose income this year cannot pay production costs and essential family living expenses."
In order to qualify for federal disaster assistance, counties must experience at least a 30 percent decline in the production of any single crop. Assistance also can be obtained if farmers no longer qualify for commercial credit due to disaster-related losses.
"Overall, 2006 was an excellent crop year. Unfortunately, not every farmer will share the bounty because of the drought in western and southwestern Illinois," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Even within the impacted areas, though, our records indicate yields were variable - some farmers managed to salvage a decent crop while others didn't. These loans will help those who didn't receive timely rains to recover."
According to the State Water Survey, precipitation in west central Illinois was six to eight inches below normal during the growing season from May to September. Rainfall totals were off two to four inches in southwestern Illinois.
The 23 counties declared as primary disaster areas are:
Adams
Bond
Brown
Calhoun
Cass
Fayette
Greene
Hancock
Henderson
Jersey
Macoupin
Madison
McDonough
Monroe
Montgomery
Perry
Randolph
Schuyler
Scott
St. Clair
Warren
Washington
Wayne
The 21 contiguous counties approved for disaster assistance include:
Christian
Clay
Clinton
Edwards
Effingham
Franklin
Fulton
Hamilton
Jackson
Jefferson
Knox
Marion
Mason
Menard
Mercer
Morgan
Pike
Richland
Sangamon
Shelby
White
Farmers who believe they may be eligible for the assistance should contact their county Farm Service Agency office. Loan applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and applicant's repayment ability. The deadline to apply is Sept. 5, 2007.
Press Releases
No Data