Governor Gregoire Requests Federal Disaster Assistance for Farmers in Five Washington Counties

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today asked United States Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to designate five counties in Washington as farm disaster areas, making farmers eligible for emergency low-interest loans. Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Lincoln and Okanogan counties experienced crop losses due to weather related losses during a severe storm on July 4-6.

�I have seen initial reports of significant damage to apple, pear and cherry orchards, as well as reports of damaged wheat, potatoes and hay,� said Governor Gregoire. �We need this disaster declaration so we can learn the full extent of the damage and begin the process of recovery. I have urged Secretary Johanns to act quickly on this request so our farmers can receive timely aid.�

The damage to orchards and field crops was the result of excessive rain, high winds, hail and lightning, followed in some areas by excessive heat. These events severely affected a number of Washington agricultural producers in certain areas, but the overall condition of most crops continues to be very good.

The declaration could provide emergency low-interest USDA Farm Service Agency loans to cover production and farm property losses to farmers in the primary counties as well as adjoining counties.

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