Governor Urges Federal Relief for Hard-Hit Farmers

11:35AM / Tuesday, September 08, 2009

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BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick is urging U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a disaster declaration in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties for agricultural production losses suffered because of this summer's abnormally cool and rainy weather.

If a federal disaster is declared, farmers in designated counties that have suffered at least 30 percent production loss because of the weather can apply for low-interest loans from the Farm Services Agency. Eligible producers may borrow up to 100 percent of the actual production or physical losses, not exceeding $500,000.

"Weather-related blight is causing significant damage on potato and tomato crops," Patrick wrote in his letter to the USDA. "I respectfully request that you consider these counties for a secretarial designation for production losses due to excessive moisture, flooding, hail and cool temperatures, resulting in late blight."

June 2009 was the second gloomiest June on record in Massachusetts since 1885, according to the Blue Hills Observatory in Canton. The cool and wet conditions created an ideal environment for destructive pathogens such as early blight, Septoria and late blight. The state's farms have seen losses ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent because of persistent inclement weather or disease.

Excessively wet and cool weather in May, June and July affected growing conditions and production levels of many of the state's major crops, including yellow corn, strawberries, tobacco, potatoes and tomatoes. Heavy hail in Berkshire and Franklin counties and flooding in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk also harmed crops. The state Department of Agricultural Resources continues to work with the University of Massachusetts Extension program and with USDA officials to monitor the amount of damage to crop output this season.

"This declaration would help offset the hard punches Mother Nature has thrown at Massachusetts agricultural producers this season," said DAR Commissioner Scott Soares. "With the governor's support and the adaptability of the state's agricultural sector, I am confident that our farmers will come out on top."

Patrick's disaster declaration request covers crop losses that occurred from May 1, 2009, to the present in 11 counties: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester.
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