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Media Advisoriy No.: PENDING
Contact:
Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
UPDATED Media Advisory: USDA Officials Stand with Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters
Agriculture Officials Touring States Gripped by Disaster, Encouraging Congress to Restore Disaster Assistance by Passing Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2012—As serious drought conditions continue to intensify across the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials are fanning out to rural communities across the country to show support to farmers and ranchers affected by a string of extreme weather in 2012.
During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,297 counties across 29 states as disaster areas, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. In the weeks ahead, additional USDA subcabinet leaders will travel to Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and others to augment ongoing assistance from state-level USDA staff. USDA officials will also provide guidance on the department’s existing disaster resources and remind producers to keep thorough records of losses as the department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011.
U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of U.S. producers. A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture.
Additional information and updates on USDA's efforts can be found at www.usda.gov/disaster or USDA's drought page.
ARKANSAS
Friday, July 27, 2012
8:15 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will meet with local producers at the farm of
Fred Austin
WHERE: 4902 North County Rd 609, Blytheville, AR
11 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will visit the farm of Randy Reynolds to tour
crops and view current levels of the Mississippi River
WHERE: 1129 East County Road 860, Osceola, AR
12 p.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will participate in a roundtable discussion
with local producers at the FSA Office in Mississippi County
WHERE: 3137 W. Keiser Ave, Osceola, AR
ILLINOIS
Thursday, July 26, 2012
8 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will visit with Delbert Craig, a local beef
producer, to discuss how the drought has impacted his operation.
WHERE: Delbert Craig Farm, 320 Sullivan Road, Goreville, IL
9:15 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will visit the farm of Kevin Ulrich to tour a
corn field impacted by the drought
WHERE: Kevin Ulrich Farm, 734 Brushy Road, Grand Chain, IL
*Note: The corn field is located at the intersection of Feather Trail Road and Valley View Road, Olmsted, IL
10:30 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will visit the farm of Gerardo (Jerry) Jimenez
WHERE: Jerry Jimenez Farm, 825 Vines Road, Cobden, IL
11:15 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter host a roundtable with local producers at the
FSA office in Union County
WHERE: FSA Union County Office, 201 Springfield Ave, Anna, IL
KENTUCKY
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
2:30 p.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will participate in a roundtable with local producers at Glenn Howell Farm
WHERE: 809 State Route 781N, Fulton Kentucky
4:30 p.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Under Secretary Karis Gutter will view crop damage and participate in a
roundtable with local producers at the Smotherman Farm
WHERE: Smotherman Farm, 438 Rayburn Rd, Murray, KY
MISSOURI
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
12:45 p.m. CDT
WHAT: RMA Administrator Bill Murphy will visit the farm of Warren Stemme’s and view damage from 2012 disasters
WHERE: 165 River Valley Dr, St. Louis, MO
4 p.m. CDT
WHAT: RMA Administrator Bill Murphy will visit the farm of Aaron Whelan
WHERE: 25834 Monroe Road 519, Stoutsville, MO
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
12:30 p.m. CDT
WHAT: RMA Administrator Bill Murphy will meet with Producers
WHERE: Rupe Community Center, 710 Harvest Hills Road, Carrollton, MO
Thursday, July 26, 2012
2:30 p.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Deputy Under Secretary Karis Gutter will meet with local producers
affected by the drought
WHERE: Delta Growers Association, 313 South Highway 105, Charleston, MO
NEW MEXICO
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
8 a.m. MDT
WHAT: FSA Administrator Juan Garcia will host a roundtable with New Mexico and
West Texas producers to discuss USDA disaster assistance efforts.
WHERE: Dona Ana County FSA Office, 2507 N. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces, NM
* Media availability to follow
4 p.m. MDT
WHAT: FSA Administrator Juan Garcia will tour drought damage to the Manzano Angus ranch, and host a roundtable with New Mexico producers to discuss Administration disaster assistance efforts.
WHERE: Manzano Angus Ranch, 502 CR B107, Estancia, NM
TENNESSEE
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
10:15 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FFAS Deputy Under Secretary Karis Gutter will meet with local producers to
discuss the impact of the drought and then travel out to tour local farms
WHERE: Dyer County FSA Office, 400 Community Park Blvd, Dyersburg, TN
TEXAS
Friday, July 27, 2012
7 a.m. CDT
WHAT: FSA Administrator Juan Garcia will host a roundtable with Texas producers to discuss Administration drought assistance efforts.
WHERE: Producers Cooperative, 1800 North Texas Avenue, Bryan, Texas
*Media availability to follow
6:30 p.m. CDT
WHAT: FSA Administrator Juan Garcia will highlight Administration disaster assistance efforts at the Southeast Texas Regional Cattlemen’s Association in Texas.
WHERE: Bay City Civic Center, 201 7th Street, Bay City, TX
*Media availability to follow
