Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin late Friday afternoon sent an “urgent request” to Gov. Sonny Perdue asking for help in expediting emergency relief for state farmers experiencing “extreme dry and drought conditions.”
Commissioner Irvin said he wants a disaster declaration that will provide federal emergency assistance to affected farmers.
“Our farmers are hurting now, today,” he said. “They have got to get some help now, sooner is better than later.”
With the request, Gov. Perdue is expected to expedite the state’s request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture which could eventually provide low-interest emergency loans to affected farmers.
Some farmers in the western part of the state are eligible to apply for emergency assistance from the USDA as part of an emergency drought designation for Alabama.
This spring and summer, Georgia has experienced extreme dry conditions due to a lack of rain. Farmers without irrigation systems have reported near-total loss of crops. Cattlemen have had to feed their animals hay due to a lack of grazing pasture.
“We are hopeful that this will be a speedy process. We already have some reports in hand,” Commissioner Irvin said. “We are expecting to move right ahead with damage assessments. Once these are completed, we’ll get our total disaster application request to Washington shortly thereafter.”