Governor Asks Feds For Drought Assistance
By: Chris Whited, KRBC News
Updated: March 10, 2009
Governor Rick Perry has requested assistance from Washington to help Texas farmers cope with the drought conditions that continue across the Lone Star State. In a letter sent to Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack, on Friday, the governor requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide disaster relief assistance for Texas farms and ranches that have suffered economic and physical losses as a result of severe drought conditions.If approved qualified farm operators in Texas will be eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA. The agency also offers additional programs, such as technical assistance, to eligible farmers.
Governor Perry has declared the disaster declaration for all 254 counties in the state of Texas. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor that was last updated on March 3rd about 77-percent of the state is currently experiencing drought conditions.






