WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), are calling on Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly approve Governor Kim Reynolds’ and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig’s request for federal assistance for Iowa farmers impacted by last month’s severe storms and tornadoes.
Reynolds and Naig are seeking immediate issuance of a USDA Secretarial Designation authorizing Farm Service Agency disaster programs, including the Farm Loans Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program. The USDA designation would assist farmers in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union Counties.
The letter comes on the heels of yesterday’s FEMA approval of Reynolds’ request for individual and small business assistance in eight counties, which the delegation also supported. Individuals, households or small businesses affected by the April storms can now apply for federal disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Read the full letter to USDA HERE.
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