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Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare a federal disaster area in response to the damage caused by high winds and hail. The declaration comes on the heels of Senator Clinton’s efforts to ensure that New York’s farmers receive the relief and assistance they need to begin the recovery process. In addition to pushing the USDA to issue the necessary disaster declarations, Senator Clinton sought assurances from USDA Secretary Edward T. Schafer that New York farmers would be eligible for the “Buy-In” program, which allows farmers to gain access to disaster assistance programs even if they have not purchased crop insurance or non-insured disaster assistance (NAP). The deadline for the buy-in program is September 16.
The disaster declaration, which was announced by USDA Secretary Schafer, makes farm operators who suffered losses caused by the severe hail storm that occurred on June 16, 2008, eligible for the permanent disaster payment program which Congress enacted in the Farm Bill earlier this year. Senator Clinton has taken the lead in urging Senate leadership to expedite the implementation of this program that would provide timely, direct payments in the wake of disasters such as the hail storm. Farmers may also be eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
“This is welcome news for New York’s hardworking farmers who are facing the burden of recovering from the financial and physical losses caused by this devastating hail storm,” said Senator Clinton. “I am glad to see that the USDA has taken my concerns seriously and issued this disaster declaration so our farmers will have access to the resources necessary to help them get back on their feet and salvage what they can from this season. I strongly urge anybody who thinks they may be eligible for assistance from the USDA to visit their local FSA office as soon as possible.”
Farmers who wish to participate in the “Buy-In” program must visit their administrative county Farm Service Agency (FSA) and obtain form CCC-752 or form CCC-753. The deadline for the buy-in is September 16, 2008. Click here for more information on this program from the United States Department of Agriculture.
According to the USDA, a review of the Loss Assessment Reports, along with additional information provided by the State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency (FSA) they determined that there was sufficient production loss in 17 New York counties to warrant a secretarial disaster designation. The 17 counties given a primary designation are: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Rockland, Schoharie, Ulster, Wayne, and Westchester.
Counties granted contiguous status include: Bronx, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Cortland, Delaware, Hamilton, Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Wyoming, and Yates.
Senator Clinton has worked tirelessly on behalf of New York farmers whose crops have been devastated by the hail storms. Recently, Senator Clinton placed calls to Secretary Schafer and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to relay the condition of New York farms she recently visited and discussed action needed to provide assistance to the state’s producers. Senator Clinton has also pushed for advance disaster payment assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmers affected by the storms. Senator Clinton’s actions could move up the timeline for producers to receive assistance from USDA’s new permanent disaster program that she supported as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Following Senator Clinton’s joint request with Senator Charles E. Schumer in June to the USDA to quickly approve Governor Paterson’s request for county by county disaster declarations, she then personally visited local growers to see the damage first hand and discuss their needs and concerns.
Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.
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