Governor Doyle Announces Disaster Declaration Requests Approved

For Immediate Release: October 21, 2008
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture has approved his requests for disaster declarations in Wisconsin counties subject to flooding this last spring and also counties impacted by the effects of winter frost last year, including Door County which lost around 98 percent of its cherry crop this year due to the extreme cold and frost. Three separate declarations approved by the USDA could assist farmers in getting low interest lows and other assistance for damage from the extreme weather conditions.

"Agriculture has remained a strong segment of the Wisconsin economy despite severe weather in our state this past year," Governor Doyle said. "These declarations can help eligible farmers prepare for the future financial needs."

The 24 primary Wisconsin counties eligible through the flood designation are: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green Lake, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha and Winnebago. The 15 contiguous counties eligible are: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Kewaunee, La Crosse Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Washington, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood.

The 5 primary Wisconsin counties eligible through the combine effects of frost, freeze, extreme cold and winterkill are Burnett, Lafayette, Polk, St Croix, and Door. The 11 contiguous counties eligible are: Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Grant, Green, Iowa, Pierce, Rusk, Sawyer, Washburn and Kewaunee.

Land owners in the affected counties should contact the USDA Wisconsin State Farm Service Agency (FSA) at 608-662-4422 for additional information.

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