Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, September 7, 2007 Chambliss, Isakson Announce $749,000 in Disaster Assistance for Georgia Counties *USDA to Provide Emergency Conservation Program Funding* WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) , Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be sending $749,000 in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds to 16 counties in Georgia. Fifteen counties will receive $729,000 in funds to help farmers and ranchers cope with the severity of this year’s drought. Henry County will receive $20,000 due to damage caused by high winds. “This is good news for the agriculture community in North Georgia ,” said Chambliss. “Our farmers and ranchers battle severe weather conditions year after year and this emergency assistance will help ensure they can recover from drought and other natural disasters.” “As the leading industry in Georgia’s vibrant economy, agriculture is critical to our state. Our producers in Georgia are facing tough times due to recent conditions, and this emergency assistance will aid those who need help,” said Isakson. Georgia counties receiving this drought assistance funding totaling $729,000 include: Banks, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Fulton, Gordon, Haralson, Jackson, Madison, Murray, Paulding, Pickens and Whitfield. The ECP program gives producers additional resources to remove debris from farmland, restore fences and conservation structures, provide water for livestock in drought situations and grade and shape farmland damaged by a natural disaster. Eligible producers will receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost of the approved practice, as determined by Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. Chambliss and Isakson encourage producers to check with their local FSA offices regarding ECP sign-up periods. More information on ECP and other disaster assistance programs is available at local FSA offices and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov. ###
E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm Washington: United States Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724 Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 7, 2007

Chambliss, Isakson Announce $749,000 in Disaster Assistance for Georgia Counties
USDA to Provide Emergency Conservation Program Funding

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) , Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be sending $749,000 in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds to 16 counties in Georgia. Fifteen counties will receive $729,000 in funds to help farmers and ranchers cope with the severity of this year’s drought. Henry County will receive $20,000 due to damage caused by high winds.

“This is good news for the agriculture community in North Georgia ,” said Chambliss. “Our farmers and ranchers battle severe weather conditions year after year and this emergency assistance will help ensure they can recover from drought and other natural disasters.”

“As the leading industry in Georgia’s vibrant economy, agriculture is critical to our state. Our producers in Georgia are facing tough times due to recent conditions, and this emergency assistance will aid those who need help,” said Isakson.

Georgia counties receiving this drought assistance funding totaling $729,000 include: Banks, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Fulton, Gordon, Haralson, Jackson, Madison, Murray, Paulding, Pickens and Whitfield.

The ECP program gives producers additional resources to remove debris from farmland, restore fences and conservation structures, provide water for livestock in drought situations and grade and shape farmland damaged by a natural disaster. Eligible producers will receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost of the approved practice, as determined by Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees.

Chambliss and Isakson encourage producers to check with their local FSA offices regarding ECP sign-up periods. More information on ECP and other disaster assistance programs is available at local FSA offices and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

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E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Washington: United States Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724
Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768