(Des Moines)– Governor Tom Vilsack sent a letter today (Friday) to U-S Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johans asking that 22 Iowa counties be declared agriculture disaster areas.
Vilsack says the counties have experienced reduced yields for corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay and oats because of drought and severe weather.
He says a drought and storm damage assessment conducted in July showed that the counties met the criteria to be recommended for disaster designation.
If the designation is approved, the counties would be eligible for federal assistance. Farmers who qualify would get aid through U-S-D-A emergency loan programs.
Local counties covered by Vilsack’s request include Dickinson, Cherokee, Clay, Sioux and Plymouth counties.
(Story from the Associated Press)
