Kentucky Receives Federal Aid for Severe Droughts

According to a recently published Kentucky.gov press release, Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher announced that his office has received a message from the United States Department of Agriculture. The message stated that all of the commonwealth of Kentucky's 120 counties would be available to receive federal emergency loans.

As many Kentucky residents recall, back on August 29, 2007, Governor Fletcher requested emergency disaster designation for the entire commonwealth. The request was due to the fact that many counties suffered from large losses caused by severe drought that started back in February of this year and is still continuing today.

In an official response to Governor Fletcher's request letter, the United States Department of Agriculture reviewed the Damage Assessment Report and other information related to the 120 counties and their drought problem. They then concluded that all of the counties in Kentucky sustained enough damage to warrant an official Secretarial disaster designation by the federal government.

Governor Fletcher said, "I am extremely pleased Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner made USDA emergency assistance available to help aid our farmers across the Commonwealth. Kentucky experienced the third driest May through August in 113 years, with lower than normal rainfall and temperatures higher than normal in the past several months which led to this state of disaster. This assistance will help lessen the impact felt by our Kentucky farmers. "

Louisville resident Kevin Gerwin said, "the droughts hit a lot of farms and residents extremely hard. Land was ruined, grass died, and a lot of people lost money due to the lack of moisture and rain. The federal aid will be able to help a lot of these people hit by the droughts."

For more information on drought assistance, especially in the Kentucky area and other areas hit by drought this year, visit your local USDA/Farm Service Agency office or visit the USDA's website at www.usda.gov.

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