After months of extreme drought, Governor Mike Beebe yesterday requested a Secretarial Disaster Declaration to cover all 75 Arkansas counties.  If issued, this declaration would give Arkansas farmers and ranchers the option to apply for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency.  These loans will allow producers to continue operations and to meet financial obligations. 

The Arkansas Congressional delegation today sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in support of Governor Beebe’s request for an agricultural disaster declaration for the state of Arkansas.  Click the file posted below to read our letter.  

A USDA disaster declaration will provide farmers the necessary option of applying for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agencies. KNWA (NBC-Fayetteville) has a good story documenting the struggles of local farmers and ranchers are facing as a result of this drought. These sentiments are being echoed across the state, which is why we are pushing for swift action from USDA.