Eastern Oregon counties seek federal disaster relief
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 5:36 AM PDT
By The Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleHERMISTON, Ore. — Farm service agencies in at least two Eastern Oregon counties are applying for disaster relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Unseasonably cool temperatures in the spring delayed the wheat crop in Morrow and Gilliam counties. Then a hot, dry spell in the middle of the growing season caused wheat kernels to shrink, said Darcy Vial, county executive of the Morrow County FSA.
Vial declined to say what percentage of this year's crop was lost, only that it was below average.
To attain disaster status, county commissioners must write Gov. Ted Kulongoski, informing him of the situation and requesting assistance. If the governor thinks they have a case, he sends the request to the secretary of the USDA, who makes the final decision.
If a county attains disaster status, growers can take advantage of disaster assistance programs.
There are new eligibility requirements under the 2008 Farm Bill.
Unlike previous years, a grower must have insurance from the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation or the Non Insured Assistance Program on every crop on all their farms.
Because Congress enacted the 2008 Farm Bill after those insurance programs had closed their application periods, producers have until Sept. 16 to take advantage of a waiver permitting them to pay a "buy-in eligibility fee" for disaster assistance.
The eligibility fee is $100 per crop, or a maximum of $300 per county for growers who raise multiple crops in a county. For those producers who operate in multiple counties, the fee is capped at $900.
Producers who meet the definition of "socially disadvantaged," ''limited resource," or "beginning farmer or rancher" don't have to pay the buy-in fee, but must file the application.
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