By Andi Anderson
Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig have formally requested federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmers impacted by severe storms on April 26-27, 2024. This request was made in a letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The appeal follows the authorization of a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration by the White House, which has made Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) programs available to disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses in eight counties.
The letter from Governor Reynolds and Secretary Naig highlights the extensive damage suffered by Iowa farmers, noting the urgent need for assistance to rebuild and replace destroyed grain bins, farm equipment, and cover operational business losses. They emphasized the necessity of disaster assistance programs provided through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including the Farm Loans Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program, to facilitate the recovery process.
The request specifically seeks a USDA Secretarial Designation and the activation of all eligible assistance for the counties of Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union.
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Categories: Iowa, Government & Policy, Weather