The Farm Service Agency has been especially busy in 2011 assisting farmers and ranchers through extremely challenging disasters. Here is another perspective on the way FSA assists as told by WCYB television reporter Laura Halm in Glade Spring, Va.
GLADE SPRING, Va. — Almost six months ago, tornadoes barreled through our region destroying homes and businesses in Tennessee and Virginia. For farmers hit hardest by April’s tornadoes, there has been some relief. Over two million dollars in relief. Back in June the Farm Service Agency in Abingdon was awarded 2.1 million dollars to help farmers in Washington and Smyth counties.
It’s been a burden for Wanda Stevens the past few months, picking up and rebuilding teh mess the tornadoes left behind. “We were really stressing about how we were going to build enough fences to keep our cattle in and now it’s such a relief,” she said.
Since Stevens got 98,000 dollars from the Farm Service Agency to help clean up and fix four miles worth of fencing, which can be costly. “Anywhere from 5 to 7 dollars a foot. So it runs into the thousands and thousands,” said Stevens.
Back in June, a 2.1 million dollar grant from the US Department of Agriculture was awarded to the FSA to help farmers in Washington and Smyth counties. Ron Hale with the FSA told News 5 WCYB’s Laura Halm, the grant money is being used to help farmers with debris cleanup, fence repair, grading, shaping and leveling of farm land.
So far, 84 farmers have gotten help. But the FSA has only awarded 1.5 million dollars and Hale says even though the initial deadline is up, there’s still time. “Since we still have money left over, we’re accepting late applications,” said Hale.
The FSA initially estimated there was about 500 miles of fencing torn down in Washington and Smyth counties. But for Stevens what would have taken years to rebuild, has simply taken months. “We’re so blessed we got this grant from the FSA. That has meant everything to us,” said Stevens.
For farmers that still need help, contact the Washington County Farm Service Agency at (276) 628-8186. Ron Hale recommends farmers stop by the Abingdon office. Their address is 448 Commerce Drive in Abingdon Virginia.
Copyright 2011 WCYB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
