Newark - U.S.Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare a natural disaster designation for six New Jersey counties - and possibly more - that have been affected by severe weather, including a tornado, since July 2009. The affected area includes local farms, many of which suffered significant crop loss and property damage. Food and agriculture contribute $82 billion dollars every year to the state's economy.
"Serious weather conditions this growing season have hampered agricultural production throughout the state of New Jersey," the Senators wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "This designation will enable farmers to recover losses, rebuild infrastructure and continue productive agricultural practices after the harmful effects of this growing season's weather conditions."
A copy of the Senators' letter is attached.
The Senators' request is supported by Governor Corzine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's State Emergency Board, which has unanimously recommended a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation.
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