Tennessee: Bredesen seeks disaster declaration

NASHVILLE - Gov. Phil Bredesen has requested a federal natural disaster designation for agriculture for seven additional counties because of rain and flooding in September and October.

They are Fentress, Giles, Madison, Morgan, Putnam, Van Buren and White.

A disaster designation would make farmers in these and adjoining counties eligible to apply for assistance through their local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Qualifying farmers are eligible for emergency loans and supplemental farm payments.

According to the governor's office, farmers in these counties have reported crop losses ranging from 30 to 50 percent for major commodities.

Farmers in several Tennessee counties are already eligible to apply for federal farm assistance.

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