Governor Perdue Requests USDA Disaster Declaration

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today requested that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns expedite the review of damage reports stemming from the frigid temperatures that hit the state last weekend and harmed much of Georgia's crops. Governor Perdue also asks the Secretary to designate eligible counties as agriculture disaster counties, enabling Georgia farmers to have access to low-interest loans and other federal assistance as quickly as possible.

"The record cold temperatures have had a serious economic impact on our agriculture industry.  Farmers and farming communities throughout the state are suffering because of the adverse weather we experienced," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "With the disaster declaration, Georgia farmers will be able to receive the assistance they need."

The Georgia USDA State Emergency Board will meet May 8th to review the damage assessment reports submitted by County Emergency Boards, reflecting production losses in peaches, blueberries, wheat, pecans, tobacco and various other fruits and vegetables. The findings will be forwarded to USDA identifying the counties that are eligible to be declared USDA Secretarial Disaster areas.

If the disaster declaration is issued, farmers in all primary and contiguous disaster counties will be able to apply for low interest emergency loans at their local Farm Service Agency office.

A copy of the letter sent to Secretary Johanns by Governor Perdue is attached:

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April 13, 2007

The Honorable Mike Johanns

Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Mr. Secretary,

Agriculture is the backbone of Georgia's economy and our largest industry.  Due to record setting cold temperatures during Easter weekend many Georgia crops were damaged or completely destroyed.  Therefore, I am writing to request you begin the process of declaring eligible counties in Georgia as USDA Secretarial Disaster areas.

The Georgia State Farm Service Agency has received USDA Flash Reports that show significant damage in a majority of Georgia's 159 counties.  Peaches, blueberries, wheat, pecans, tobacco, and various other fruits and vegetables were affected by the adverse weather.  The Georgia State Emergency Board will meet May 8th to review the damage assessment reports submitted by County Emergency Boards and then forward to you the counties that are eligible to be declared as USDA Secretarial Disaster areas.

On behalf of Georgia farmers, I respectfully request that you expedite the review of the damage reports from the Georgia USDA State Emergency Board and designate the eligible counties as agriculture disaster counties.  It is important Georgia farmers have access to low-interest loans and other federal assistance as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Sonny Perdue

Governor, State of Georgia