Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2007

Ag Department Tours Flood Damaged Farmland in Three Missouri Counties

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Today Gov. Matt Blunt sent Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, across parts of northwestern and north central Missouri to assess the recent damage and crop loss caused by flood waters along the Missouri River and its tributaries. Katie Smith was joined by Gerald Hrdina, conservation specialist with the Missouri Farm Service Agency, Gene Danekas, director of Missouri Agricultural Statistics and other agriculture officials in touring three farmland locations in Buchanan, Carroll and Livingston counties.

“I asked Katie Smith to view the flood damage to farms in northwestern and north central Missouri and to visit personally with family farmers who were impacted by the flood waters,” said Gov. Matt Blunt.  “Also at my request, joint federal and state damage assessment teams are surveying 34 counties that were impacted by the flooding.  This information will help us determine the level of assistance needed to help our communities recover from the flood.”

During the tour, agriculture officials met with producers and levee and drainage district board leaders in Rushville, Mo. and toured area farmland in Buchanan County. They also toured George Quinn’s farm in Lock Springs, Mo. located in Livingston County and met with Nelson Heil and local leaders and producers in Norborne, Mo. located in Carroll County.

“Farmers along the Missouri River and other tributary rivers have been severely impacted by the flood waters that occurred in the past two weeks,” said Katie Smith. “We saw firsthand the devastation to crops and farmland and now better understand the economic challenges that these farmers will be up against in the upcoming days and months.”

On May 15, Gov. Blunt sent a letter to Tim Kelley requesting damage assessment reports as soon as reliable evaluations can be made in 34 counties. These counties include Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Moniteau, Nodaway, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, and Worth. 

“After speaking to many of the producers and local leaders in the affected counties, we are continuing to assess the extent and level of assistance needed,” said Smith. “We will continue to work with the Missouri Farm Service Agency and federal officials in offering assistance to these farmers.”

The Missouri Farm Service Agency is collecting data from its county offices to determine the economic impact on those affected. The Missouri Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor the data collected and offer information once it becomes available.

For more information regarding the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit www.mda.mo.gov.

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