Cantwell Announces Emergency Support for WA Farmers After 2011 Losses. 15 counties given federal USDA disaster designation; farmers eligible for assistance for losses suffered from extreme weather.

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that farmers in 15 Washington state counties are now eligible to apply for emergency weather assistance and ongoing disaster assistance programs for losses suffered as a result of extreme weather conditions during the first seven months of 2011.

Cantwell, along with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last August supporting Governor Chris Gregoire’s August 2nd request for immediate disaster designations stemming from the weather-related losses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Clallam, Clark, Franklin, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, and Yakima counties as primary natural disaster areas. Farmers and producers in these areas are eligible to apply for USDA emergency assistance or aid.

“Many Washington state farmers suffered severe losses due to last year’s spring weather,” Senator Cantwell said. “This disaster designation will help farmers recover and rebuild after last year’s losses. I encourage eligible farmers to take advantage of this disaster designation and apply for emergency assistance.”

The losses in these counties were caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, flooding, below normal temperatures, high winds, frosts, and freezes that occurred during the period of January 1, 2011 through July 31, 2011. Tree fruits, vegetables, grapes, hay, and wheat were particularly impacted.
In addition to the 15 counties that have been designated as primary natural disaster areas, 20 counties have been named contiguous disaster counties: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grant, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skamania, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Whitman. Farmers in both the primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. Residents seeking more information should contact their local FSA offices.

View the press release here: 013012_USDA disaster_declaration

The Central Klickitat Conservation District board of supervisors adopted an election resolution at their December 15, 2012 meeting.   The following board members’ terms will expire in 2012:  Vic Blandine (elected) and Larry Williams (appointed).  An election for the position currently held by Mr. Blandine will be held during CKCD’s Annual Meeting on February 16, 2012 from 9 am – 1 pm at the Goldendale Grange Hall, 228 E. Darland in Goldendale.  Absentee ballots may be requested any time before 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 2^nd.  Any person wishing to run for the position of supervisor, or to apply for appointment by the Washington State Conservation Commission, may request an application from Mindy Pomerinke, election supervisor, at the district office at 1107 S. Columbus Ave. in Goldendale, or by calling (509)773-5823 ext. 5.  The candidate filing deadline is Thursday, January 19, 2012; the deadline to apply for appointment is Friday, March 30, 2012.  There is no filing or application fee.

Be sure to see our 2012 Plant Sale catalog (it’s big, so be patient while it loads). 2012 Plant Sale Catalog 2012 Order Form

If you would like to be added to our mailing list (post or e-mail) please e-mail your request to Mindy at cdoffice@gorge.net

Check out the National Tree Benefit Calculator web site to get an estimation of the environmental and economic benefits provided by the trees on your property.   Six different values are assessed,  including storm water interception, property value, and CO2 reduction.