Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Tuesday, August 9, 2005	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON URGES USDA TO DECLARE DROUGHT DISASTER IN MISSOURI

Request Includes All 25 Counties in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District

Lexington, Missouri – In a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) urged USDA to act immediately to declare a drought disaster in 109 of Missouri’s 114 counties.

“Over the past several months, Missouri has been experiencing a disastrous combination of extremely high temperatures and little precipitation. In many areas of the state, soybean and corn crops are dying, pastures are scorched, and ponds are arid. Many farmers who live in these parts of the state are facing tough economic choices as their losses exceed their expenses this year. These hard working American families deserve the immediate attention of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” wrote Skelton.

“With temperatures still soaring to near 100 degrees and drought conditions worsening in the Show-Me State, I press upon you to grant the Governor’s requested drought disaster declarations without delay. Doing so will help Missouri farmers better deal with these harsh weather conditions and positively impact our state’s rural economy,” wrote Skelton.

On August 8, the Governor of Missouri submitted a request for a drought disaster declaration to USDA. The Governor’s initial request includes all 25 counties in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District:

Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Jackson, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Moniteau, Morgan, Pettis, Polk, Pulaski, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Vernon, and Webster.

If the Secretary of Agriculture grants the disaster declarations, farm operators in each county would be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. For more information on disaster aid, producers should contact their local FSA county office or visit the FSA web site at http://disaster.usda.gov/drought_jump.htm.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.