Henry requests disaster assistance for farmers
Published: 07/21/09 - 2:20pm Written by Dick PryorOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry is asking U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak to issue a federal disaster declaration for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. In a letter to Vilsak the governor asks that the Farm Service Agency complete damage assessment reports on all Oklahoma counties. Henry says ongoing drought combined with floods, hail, fire, high winds and freezing temperatures caused serious damage and losses to the agriculture and ranching industries.
The request covers a period from Sept. 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. If the disaster declaration is approved, Oklahoma farmers and ranchers will be eligible for low-interest loans to address losses caused by the extreme weather conditions.


