Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare a federal disaster area in response to the damage caused in New York’s Southern Tier 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 storms that occurred during the period from June 5 through June 9, 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 the Southern Tier’s hardworking farmers who are still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the June storms,” said Senator Clinton. “I am glad to see that the USDA has taken the necessary steps to provide assistance to our farmers so that they will not have to stand alone in shouldering the burden of recovering from this disaster. 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 to warrant a secretarial disaster designation. Broome County was given a primary designation, with Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, and Tioga Counties granted contiguous disaster status.

 

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 (http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=301486&&). Senator Clinton has also pushed for advance disaster payment assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmers affected by the storms (http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=300625&&). 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 (http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=299985&&), she then personally visited local growers to see the damage first hand and discuss their needs and concerns (http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=300445&&).

 

Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.

###