(Columbia)-- Governor David M. Beasley today asked U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to declare all of South Carolina a natural
disaster because of the drought.
“I hope Secretary Glickman will move quickly, because farmers
across the state need help,” Governor Beasley said. “It is clear that South
Carolina farms meet the threshold required to get federal assistance.”
Crops across the state are suffering at least a 30 percent loss,
the amount needed to ask for disaster assistance. A disaster declaration
would enable farmers to get low-interest emergency loans. Farmers would
apply to their local Farm Service Agency office if Secretary Glickman issues
the disaster declaration.
Congress is now debating additional assistance that may be given
to farmers in states that have suffered droughts.
The Governor, along with Glickman and U.S. Sen. Ernest F. Hollings,
visited farms in Richland, Sumter and Darlington counties on Monday. “From
what I saw, and what I am hearing from farmers across the state, this is
one of the worst droughts I have seen in my lifetime,” the Governor said.
Corn, cotton and soybeans are suffering the worst damage, the
Governor said.
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