Gov. Blagojevich seeks disaster declaration to aid Illinois farmers

Request includes every Illinois county         

[JULY 26, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- On Monday, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich requested federal disaster assistance for drought-stricken Illinois farmers who have sustained substantial crop losses this year.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Blagojevich asked for all 102 Illinois counties to be declared natural disaster areas. If approved, the declaration will qualify farmers for USDA assistance programs, including low-interest emergency loans.

"Although our crops are still in fields, reports -- even at this early date -- show drought losses are great enough to warrant a federal disaster declaration and only will mount without significant rainfall," Blagojevich said. "I commend Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Bill Graff and his staff for their hard work to expedite this process and help our farmers become eligible for federal drought relief if they need it."

A near-record dry spell from March to June stunted crop growth across the state, especially in corn, which received inadequate moisture to pollinate. A paltry 8.5 inches of rain fell during those four months, about half the normal total, making the March-through-June period the third-driest since weather records were first kept, in 1895.

"Farmers appreciate the governor's quick response," Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson said. "Because of high energy prices, farmers have invested in the most expensive corn crop ever and are now watching it wither in the fields. Even though final assessment of losses won't be made until harvest, a disaster declaration now is a needed response to a deteriorating situation."

Assessments compiled by the Farm Service Agency indicate the damage is severe. More than 117,000 farmers statewide reported production losses, including 74,000 who estimated the drought will destroy 30 percent or more of their crops. Sixteen farmers said their crops are a total loss.

"Losses of this magnitude could cause farmers cash flow problems," Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "The emergency loans would help them recover. They can be used not only to pay production costs and refinance existing debt, but also to pay family living expenses."

Topsoil moisture in Illinois is rated 63 percent very short, 25 percent short and just 12 percent adequate. Conditions are most critical in north central Illinois, where the National Weather Service classifies the drought as extreme, its second-highest designation. The region -- which is framed by the cities of Bloomington, Peoria, Rockford and DeKalb -- consists of some of the state's most fertile farmland, including four of its top six crop-producing counties.

Federal disaster declarations are quite common. In Illinois, the last such declaration was in January of 2004. It included 42 counties in southern Illinois that sustained losses to their soybean crops because of drought.

Following is the text of the letter Gov. Blagojevich sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Johanns:

Office of the Governor
Chicago, Illinois 60601

Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor

July 25, 2005

The Honorable Mike Johanns, Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Avenues, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

Illinois farmers have experienced production losses in their 2005 crops due to drought conditions. Members of my administration in the Department of Agriculture, along with Farm Service Agency representatives in Illinois, have reviewed Damage Assessment Reports to determine the extent of damage on a county-by-county basis. On behalf of Illinois farmers affected by natural disasters, I respectfully request you review the primary and contiguous counties eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency (EM) loan assistance as a provision of a Secretarial Natural Disaster Declaration.

Your prompt review and concurrence with this request is appreciated. Please direct any questions regarding this request to Tom Jennings, Chief of Staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, 217/782-5011.

Sincerely,

Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor

Enclosures

[News release from the governor's office]