Governor Beebe Asks for Drought Declaration
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: July 11, 2012
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has asked the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to declare statewide disaster because of drought conditions.
On Tuesday, Beebe today requested the Secretarial Disaster Designation to cover all 75 counties. Persistently dry conditions now have caused 88 percent of the state to be in a severe drought and 36 percent of the state is in an extreme drought.
"It will take much more than the recent scattered rain to break these drought conditions," Governor Beebe said, in a statement. "Many of our farmers and ranchers face a tough season ahead, and the federal government can provide them with tools to ease the financial impact of crop losses."
If issued, the declaration would qualify some farmers and ranchers to receive emergency loans to support operations affected by the drought.
Beebe sent the department a similar request for 13 counties last month, but has now widen the coverage.
Farmers and ranchers with any questions about the request or the loans it may provide should contact their local Farm Service Agency office.
On Tuesday, Beebe today requested the Secretarial Disaster Designation to cover all 75 counties. Persistently dry conditions now have caused 88 percent of the state to be in a severe drought and 36 percent of the state is in an extreme drought.
"It will take much more than the recent scattered rain to break these drought conditions," Governor Beebe said, in a statement. "Many of our farmers and ranchers face a tough season ahead, and the federal government can provide them with tools to ease the financial impact of crop losses."
If issued, the declaration would qualify some farmers and ranchers to receive emergency loans to support operations affected by the drought.
Beebe sent the department a similar request for 13 counties last month, but has now widen the coverage.
Farmers and ranchers with any questions about the request or the loans it may provide should contact their local Farm Service Agency office.
