Gordon Continues Support of Drought Relief

July 13, 2007, WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon joined other members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of Governor Phil Bredesen’s request for drought aid.

"Our farmers have suffered greatly because of the extreme weather this year,” said Gordon. “The April freeze was bad enough, and this drought is another blow to Tennessee’s agricultural economy.”

The joint July 12 letter states, “According to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the five-month period of January through May 2007 was the driest such period in Tennessee in 118 years. Many of our livestock producers have sold entire herds due to a lack of hay and watering sources. Additionally, specialty crop producers, who already experienced significant losses in the April freeze, are now suffering from the drought. Though the extent of the damage has not yet been determined, most farmers will need a full season to recover.”

Gordon sent a separate letter to the USDA on July 6 to request a prompt response to the state’s request for aid.

If the USDA declares Tennessee an agricultural disaster area, qualifying farmers will become eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the agency.