Wyoming Disaster Area Declarations
by Governor Freudenthal media release
January 4, 2010
CHEYENNE – Gov. Dave Freudenthal has thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for approving two disaster declaration requests the Governor made in October.
"Secretary Vilsack’s action restores some measure of confidence to agricultural producers in Wyoming that suffered from severe weather in 2009," the Governor said.
One declaration names Platte County in southeast Wyoming a primary natural disaster area after hailstorms caused widespread damage to crops in the county. Albany, Converse, Goshen, Laramie and Niobrara counties have been named contiguous disaster counties.
"There is no denying 2009 was a difficult year for many Platte County producers," Freudenthal said.
A second declaration from Secretary Vilsack identifies Park and Big Horn counties, in the Big Horn Basin of northwestern Wyoming, as primary disaster counties after a severe early-season freeze caused debilitating damage to sugar beets and other crops.
Fremont, Hot Springs, Johnson, Sheridan, Teton and Washakie counties are contiguous disaster counties.
"We were pained to watch, week after week in late 2009, the unfolding problems with the sugar beet harvest in the Big Horn Basin. A harvest estimated to be the largest ever was decimated by a freeze in early October," the Governor said.
"These disaster declarations are only one step in a long process of recovery for many farmers in the state. But they represent an important step, which opens doors for affected producers to begin seeking federal aid," Gov. Freudenthal said.
Farmers wishing to inquire about assistance should contact their local Farm Service Agency office.
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