NASHVILLE- Governor Phil Bredesen announced recently that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has designated Sevier County a natural disaster for agriculture as a result of drought and excessive heat during the growing season. Bredesen requested the Secretarial designation last month.
Other Tennessee Counties designated as primary natural disaster areas include Bedford, Bradley, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Dyer, Fayette, Hamilton, Henry, Hickman, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Moore, Perry, Polk, Rhea, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Sullivan, Tipton, Unicoi, Union, Washington and Williamson.
“This has been an unusual growing season for farmers who have had to endure the extremes of flooding and drought,” said Bredesen. “I’m pleased that farmers in these areas have an opportunity to apply for federal assistance to help them better prepare for next year.”
So far this year, a total of 42 Tennessee counties have been designated a primary natural disaster due to drought during the growing season. The Secretarial disaster designation makes farmers in primary and adjoining counties eligible to apply for low-interest loans, supplemental farm payments and other assistance through their local USDA Farm Service Agency.
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