[Excerpts from Oct. 24th MN and ND Governor Press Releases]
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted the state's formal request for 62 Minnesota counties to be declared agricultural disaster areas because of this summer's drought. The formal designation makes family-sized farm operators in these counties eligible to be considered for low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency.

Based on the review of damage assessment reports, USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman determined every county included in the application has sustained significant production losses. The Farm Service Agency will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

Gov. John Hoeven has sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman requesting a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 47 North Dakota counties. The Governor made the request due to disaster conditions including drought, severe temperatures, storms, flooding, wind, ground saturation, tornadoes and high humidity that have occurred since April, 2003.

[See the links below for county lists.]

Gov. Pawlenty Press Release
Gov. Hoeven Press Release
Letter to USDA (128K PDF file)

[If you come across news of regional interest, please email to asebring@emforum.org or submit via our Feedback Form.]