FEMA extends deadline for public assistance applications COLUMBUS, Ind. — Gov. Mitch Daniels announced FEMA has approved the state’s request for a 30-day extension for 41 counties to apply for federal public assistance.
“Hoosiers showed America how a state can come together to respond to a natural disaster,” said Daniels in a press release. “It is essential that we do an equally effective job at recovery and helping people and communities put life back together.”
The governor made the announcement during a stop in Columbus where he received an update on recovery efforts and toured the mobile emergency room unit Carolinas MED-1 that is on location at the Columbus Regional Hospital.
The list of Indiana counties approved for public assistance includes Adams, Bartholomew, Benton, Brown, Clay, Daviess, Decatur, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Owen, Parke, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Switzerland, Union, Vermillion, Vigo and Washington.
The public assistance declaration means state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in these counties are now eligible to apply for federal public assistance funds to pay at least 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.
A map of all counties that have been declared eligible for public assistance and the extended deadlines is available at www.in.gov/gov/files/Approved_for_Public_Assistance.pdf
USDA announces $28.4 million for specialty crop research WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that USDA is making available $28.4 million for research and extension projects in fiscal year 2008 to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops.
“This is a substantial investment in scientific research and technology for production of specialty crops that will advance their large contribution to America’s agriculture both domestically and in world markets,” said Schafer.
The U.S. specialty crop industry is comprised of producers and handlers of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture. It is a major contributor to the U.S. agricultural economy, accounting for 10 million harvested cropland acres in 2004. The total value of U.S. specialty crops is over $50 billion in sales, which puts the combined value of these crops in league with the five major program crops.
Funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative was a major initiative in USDA’s farm bill proposal and is authorized through the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The 2008 farm bill provides an additional $50 million each year for fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for a total of $230 million over the five years of the farm bill.
Those interested in applying for funding can access the request for applications online at www.csrees.usda.gov Argentine beef imports would be blocked under bill WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Legislation that would prevent the importation of Argentine livestock as a precaution against foot-and-mouth disease has been approved by a Senate spending panel.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on July 17 added legislation introduced by Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to an agriculture spending bill. It would prevent certain livestock importation from Argentina until the USDA can certify that it’s safe.
The region has seen outbreaks of the highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle and pigs. It is a viral animal illness that can be spread through even minimal contact with infected animals, farm equipment or meat. It can be fatal to animals, but does not harm humans.
Chemical spill kills fish in northwestern Iowa
MELVIN, Iowa (AP) — State environmental officials say a farm chemical spill in Osceola County in northwest Iowa has killed some fish.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the spill happened the evening of July 15 near Melvin when a farmer was spraying his soybean fields and the sprayer fell into a stream. A mix of insecticide, herbicide and 500 gallons of water was dumped into the stream, which flows into the Floyd River.
Dead fish were discovered downstream of the spill. Officials are monitoring the fish kill and taking samples. The agency said communities downstream, including Sioux City, have been notified, but there appears to be no risk to public drinking water.
Argentina’s president drops tax hike on Senate rejection
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — President Cristina Fernandez canceled a widely protested farm export tax hike on July 18 following months of protest and a stunning rejection by the Senate.
Cabinet Minister Alberto Fernandez told reporters at a news conference that the government will comply with a Senate vote rejecting the tax package. The Senate vote itself was not enough to cancel the tax hike because it has been issued by executive order.
The president announced the sliding-scale export taxes in March, hoping they would hold down prices by encouraging farmers to sell grains locally rather than take advantage of soaring export prices. Farmers revolted, staging a series of food and transport strikes that disrupted the economy and eroded the president’s popularity.
Farm leaders welcomed cancellation of tax hike. “The conflict is over,” said Luciano Miguens, head of the Argentina’s Rural Society, to local television station C5N. Pig caper: Police investigate swiped swine in Iowa EMMETSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Where’s the pork?
Authorities in western Iowa are looking for a thief with a very big payload – 120 market hogs. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said someone swiped the swine from a hog confinement in Silver Lake Township sometime between May 29-July 10.
The theft was reported last week. Chief Deputy Todd Suhr said his agency is investigating but has “no hot leads right now.” The missing hogs are valued at $19,000.
The owner of the confinement is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information in the case. |
