Senator Mark Pryor Press Releases

Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture has declared Chicot County in southeastern Arkansas a natural disaster area due to production losses caused by wind and rainfall associated with Hurricane Gustav and Ike, which occurred between August 28 and September 18, 2008.

This designation makes farm operators eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.

“Arkansas has seen more than its fair share of severe weather this year, and our state’s farmers have experienced production losses and uncertainty about the future of their crops. The federal government has a critical role to play in our state’s recovery efforts, and I’m pleased it has taken this step to provide much-needed assistance to farmers. I will continue to fight for Arkansas farmers and their families to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Lincoln.

“Southeast Arkansas was hit particularly hard this past hurricane season with flooding and high winds,” said Pryor. “These federal funds will help Chicot County farmers recoup their losses and rebuild so they may continue operating their family farms.”

“Arkansas farms and farm families have had a tumultuous and unpredictable year,” said Ross. “Federal dollars like these are crucial to rebuilding our farming communities and I will continue working in our nation’s capital to ensure that the federal government provides the necessary resources to help recover from whatever natural disasters come our way.”

Since February, 62 of Arkansas’s 75 counties have been declared federal disaster areas by President Bush due to severe weather and flooding.

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		December 4, 2008 Press Release Pryor, Lincoln, Ross Announce Disaster Declaration for Chicot County Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture has declared Chicot County in southeastern Arkansas a natural disaster area due to production losses caused by wind and rainfall associated with Hurricane Gustav and Ike, which occurred between August 28 and September 18, 2008. This designation makes farm operators eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information. “Arkansas has seen more than its fair share of severe weather this year, and our state’s farmers have experienced production losses and uncertainty about the future of their crops. The federal government has a critical role to play in our state’s recovery efforts, and I’m pleased it has taken this step to provide much-needed assistance to farmers. I will continue to fight for Arkansas farmers and their families to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Lincoln. “Southeast Arkansas was hit particularly hard this past hurricane season with flooding and high winds,” said Pryor. “These federal funds will help Chicot County farmers recoup their losses and rebuild so they may continue operating their family farms.” “Arkansas farms and farm families have had a tumultuous and unpredictable year,” said Ross. “Federal dollars like these are crucial to rebuilding our farming communities and I will continue working in our nation’s capital to ensure that the federal government provides the necessary resources to help recover from whatever natural disasters come our way.” Since February, 62 of Arkansas’s 75 counties have been declared federal disaster areas by President Bush due to severe weather and flooding. ###