Agriculture Secretary Visits Iowa to Tour Flooding, Discuss USDA Assistance

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told farmers, ranchers and producers in Southwest Iowa that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ready and able to provide assistance to those who need it most as rising Missouri River floodwaters begin to inundate cropland and rural communities. Vilsack met with producers and community leaders at Glenwood High School where he listened to their concerns and provided information on available USDA programs and resources.

"America's farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation's economy and our values, and my heart goes out to all who are facing hardships because of severe weather and natural disasters," Vilsack said. "I want all residents, farmers, ranchers and businesses to know that USDA can offer assistance to help them through difficult times; and we are working with state and local officials, as well as our federal partners, to make sure folks have food, shelter and necessary resources to recover from these challenges."

Rains and heavy, melting snowpack in the Northern United States is inundating the Missouri River and its tributaries, bringing floods and threats of flooding to residents in several states, from North Dakota to Kansas. Vilsack highlighted how the Obama Administration has responded with immediacy to tornadoes, flooding and wildfires in many parts of the country. For weeks, USDA agencies have been working in communities across the country to offer a variety of resources for states and individuals affected by the recent disasters.

For instance, USDA has provided over $110 million in disaster-related food assistance to help more than 660,000 individuals in eight states and 184 counties. To date, USDA has also provided 10 states a total of $9.6 million to restore land damaged by flooding.

In rural communities, USDA's Rural Development will continue to work with existing individual and community borrowers that have been affected by a natural disaster to help them with their loans. With respect to loans guaranteed by Rural Development, borrowers should initially contact their lender for assistance.

Source: USDA