Gov. Nixon requests disaster designation following drought damage assessment

An all too common sight in and around Bates County

Assessments showed 114 Missouri counties meet disaster threshold due to ongoing drought

Gov. Jay Nixon has requested that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsackdesignate 114 counties in Missouri as primary agricultural disaster areas. The designation would permit assistance from the USDA's Farm Service Agency to farmers in those counties that have suffered losses to crops and livestock as a result of the ongoing drought throughout the state.

On June 25, Gov. Nixon requested that the Farm Service Agency assess agricultural damage across the state due to the ongoing extremely dry conditions. The assessment found that 114 Missouri counties meet the disaster threshold of having losses of at least 30 percent of the estimated yield of a single crop or where individual farmers suffer productions losses of more than 30 percent.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri's economy, and our farmers are facing extremely difficult conditions because of record heat and low precipitation," Gov. Nixon said. "Our farmers and producers need additional support to help them through these challenges, including the financial assistance that becomes available if this request is granted by Secretary Vilsack."

A disaster designation would allow eligible farmers to be considered for assistance from the USDA's Farm Service Agency, including FSA emergency loans.

For more information about the Governor's request and response to extremely dry conditions throughout the state, visit mo.gov.