FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 27, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON URGES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DECLARE 23 NEW YORK
COUNTIES AGRICULTURAL DISASTER AREAS
Declaration Would Pave Way for Low-Interest Emergency Loans from
USDA Farm Service Agency
New York Farmers Suffer Devastating Crop Losses from June 16th Hail Storm
Governor David A. Paterson today urged the federal government to
declare 23 New York counties agricultural disaster areas. In a letter to
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, Governor Paterson requested disaster
assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farms that
experienced crop damage from severe hail storms on June 16th.
If the requested counties receive a disaster designation from the
USDA, farmers within those counties, and the counties contiguous to them,
will be eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA considers each loan application on its
own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available,
repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.
"The hard working farm families of New York State who suffered
severe losses last week need this assistance," said Governor Paterson.
"While it is still not clear just how much damage this storm caused, or what
the total losses will be for these families, it is clear that they will need
federal assistance to sustain their businesses this year. I call on
Secretary Schafer to act in the best interest of all New Yorkers and make
these declarations."
Twenty-three counties across New York State were hit with large
sized hail, high winds and excessive rain. Counties included in the
Governor's disaster assistance request are: Albany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga,
Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Monroe, Onondaga,
Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schoharie, Schuyler,
Seneca, Ulster, Wayne and Westchester Counties.
The storms damaged strawberries, which have just come into
season, and cherries that are near ripening. Immature tree fruits - such as
apples, peaches, pears and plums - were permanently damaged by puck marks
and no longer have value on the fresh market. Fruit is also more susceptible
to disease when hail breaks through its skin. More time will be required to
assess damage to vegetables such as onions, cabbage and squash because of
their variable stages of growth. Most vegetables in the field were shredded
from the hail and then lay in excess water, exposing them to rot.
In most cases, June is too late to replant if the crop is
destroyed beyond recovery. If the crop is able to recover, it is still
unlikely to be ready for an early season harvest and farmers will lose that
market opportunity as well.
Governor Paterson also directed New York State Agriculture
Commissioner Patrick Hooker to travel to several parts of the State last
week to personally assess the damage on farms. Commissioner Hooker found
significant damage to fresh fruit and vegetables. While some of that damage
is cosmetic, there are many crops that will probably end up a complete loss
for farmers.
U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said: "New York's farmers are
the economic backbone of the state, and federal aid will be critical in
helping them recover from the disastrous effects of last week's hail storm.
With fields of strawberries, apples, pears, peaches, and other crops left
unsellable, our hard working farmers are now facing the stark reality of
deep financial losses. I fully support Governor Paterson's request for
federal assistance, and I hope that the USDA does everything possible to
help our farmers recover and salvage what is left of this growing season."
Commissioner Hooker said: "While traveling around the State last
week, I saw devastation, not only in the fields, but on the faces of many
farmers who had high hopes of a successful growing season this year. With
such serious damage and the potential for significant crop losses from the
recent hail storms, farmers are going to need as much help financially as
they can. I appreciate Governor Paterson's diligence and support to help our
farmers receive the federal assistance they need at this time."
