Warren, Markey, McGovern, Neal Urge Agriculture Secretary to Designate Flood-Stricken Counties as Disaster Areas after Western Massachusetts Farms Sustain Heavy Losses

Letter

"In light of the profound harm to the farming community, we request that you use the full authority of the Department of Agriculture to assist the farmers and community members who have been impacted by this disaster in Western Massachusetts. Specifically, we ask that FSA quickly request, and that Secretary Vilsack rapidly approve, a designation of the impacted counties as disaster areas. Doing so will allow affected farmers in these communities to quickly access funds, including FSA's Emergency Loan program and other FSA assistance programs, for flood clean up and to address damage from erosion.

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In order to rapidly assist farmers and communities in need, we ask that you expeditiously process and approve the request and engage in public outreach, including ensuring that FSA, Natural Resource Conservation Services, and Rural Development staff engage directly with affected farmers and communities, and that USDA enable a dedicated public website and community forums to ensure that affected communities in Massachusetts are aware of the help available to them,"

Source