July 19, 2012

For Immediate Release

Governor Walker Requests Federal Disaster Designation for 23 Counties Due to Drought

Madison—Governor Walker today requested a Federal Disaster Designation for 23 Wisconsin counties due to significant damages suffered from the ongoing drought conditions.  Under the USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation, Wisconsin farmers could apply for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Wisconsin's economy.  The extreme drought conditions across much of the state had a major effect on our farming community," said Gov. Walker.  "The recent rainfall in some areas is not nearly enough to make up for the weeks of dry weather combined with heat and humidity.  We need to do everything we can to expedite the process.”

The U.S. Drought Monitor has identified the following counties as suffering extreme drought conditions affecting such crops as corn, alfalfa, soybeans along with grasses and pasture.

The counties named in the request are Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. 

With more hot and dry weather in the forecast, Governor Walker says more counties could be added to the request for a Federal Designation.  “We will continue to closely monitor the situation in other counties throughout the state and request a designation as soon as they qualify to ensure Wisconsin farmers get the assistance they need.”

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