PRESS RELEASE
South Carolina Office of the Governor
David M. Beasley - Governor
For Immediate Release:  June 30, 1998
Contact:  Gary Karr (803) 734-9840
 
GOVERNOR THANKS GLICKMAN FOR DISASTER DECLARATION

 (Columbia) -- Governor David M. Beasley today thanked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman for declaring all of South Carolina a federal agriculture disaster, as the Governor requested late last month.
 “I am glad the Secretary acted to help alleviate the difficult situation many South Carolina farmers are facing,” Governor Beasley said. The Governor discussed the crop damage and the drought with Secretary Glickman on Monday while at the National Governors’ Association meeting in Milwaukee.
 Governor Beasley toured parts of South Carolina with Glickman last month as a preliminary to the disaster declaration request. The Governor also has an ad-hoc drought team that is examining the drought’s impact on forest fire danger and water supply as well as agriculture.
 Corn, soybeans and cotton have sustained serious damage and in some areas of South Carolina,  have been destroyed. Other fruits and vegetables, along with tobacco, have also been damaged because of the dry weather.
 Today’s announcement makes farmers eligible for low-interest loans from the local Farm Service Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers should call (803) 806-3830 or their local FSA office. Small agriculture business owners can apply for low-interest loans at the U.S. Small Business Administration, (803) 765-5377.
 “The crop damage I have seen over the past few weeks is heartbreaking. I appreciate Secretary Glickman’s quick action to get farmers in our state some help,” Governor Beasley said.
 Secretary Glickman’s declaration covers farmers in all 46 South Carolina counties.

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