News Release from the Governor's Office

HONOLULU – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has informed Governor Linda Lingle that a federal disaster declaration has been approved due to drought conditions in all four Hawai‘i counties.  The declaration will make available low-interest federal loans to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses due to the long dry spell since January 1, 2007, and which have continued.  The disaster loans have a 3.75 percent interest rate, which is much lower than current conventional loans.

“The current drought conditions are being compounded in some areas by severe damage to key irrigation systems from last October’s earthquakes,” said Governor Lingle.  “The availability of low-interest loans will help to sustain agricultural operations through this dry spell.”

Governor Lingle requested the federal disaster designation on June 15, 2007.   Following her request, reviews by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) determined that production losses by farm operations warrant the Secretarial disaster designation.

“In areas where irrigation systems are damaged, the drought situation has made it necessary for some ranchers and farmers to truck in water to keep their livestock and crops alive,” said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture.  “In addition, pasture lands have been so dry that ranchers have also had to supplement with commercial feed, substantially adding to their operating costs.”

Farmers and ranchers may apply immediately for the disaster loans at their county Farm Service Agency office.

County FSA offices may be contacted at:

Hawai‘i – 933-8381

Maui – 244-3100

O‘ahu – 483-8600

Kaua‘i – 245-9014

Information on the FSA Emergency Loan Program may be found on their website:  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=efl

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For more information, contact:

Sandra Lee Kunimoto                             Lenny Klompus                                      Russell Pang
Chair, Board of Agriculture                      Senior Advisor – Communications             Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 973-9550                            Phone: (808) 586-7708                            Phone: (808) 586-0043