Oct 27, 2011Welch seeks USDA funding for farms damaged by Irene
Tropical Storm Irene dumped 7 to 11 inches of rain on central and southern Vermont and left many farmers with mud-covered fields, dead livestock and drowned crops. Out of concern for contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told farmers not to sell any crops that went under water.
The Vermont office of the USDA Farm Service Agency estimates that 454 farms sustained roughly $10 million in damage. More than 20,000 acres were damaged by the storm: 5,000 acres corn fields, 6,000 acres hay fields, 1,000 acres of maple trees, 1,800 acres of pasture and 487 acres of fruit and vegetable fields.
In an effort to secure federal funds to help farmers recover from Irene, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., announced last week three bills aimed at making more federal funds available for uninsured farmers. He is also asking for a waiver to make Vermont farmers eligible for crop damage assistance. VT Digger
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