TOWN HALL MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO HELP CALIFORNIA’S FARMERS AND RANCHERS RECOVER FROM THE SUMMER 2006 HEAT WAVE

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SACRAMENTO – August 30, 2006 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has joined with other state and federal agencies to schedule Agricultural Disaster Recovery Town Hall Meetings in Tulare and Stanislaus counties to inform ranchers and growers about assistance that may be available following the recent heat wave.

The unprecedented summer heat wave did a great deal of damage to our agriculture industry,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura.  “Now that the emergency situation has subsided, it is time to turn our attention to helping our ranchers and farmers get the assistance they need so they can get back to what they do best.”

CDFA has invited representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Farm Services Agency (FSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), the California Disaster Assistance Loan Program, and county offices of agriculture and emergency services.

The heat wave killed or sickened many of the valley’s dairy cows and other livestock and poultry, and also damaged hay, fruit, vegetable and nut crops.  The meetings are designed to give farmers and ranchers a one-stop opportunity to collect information and ask questions about the various forms of assistance that may be available to them.  The meetings will also provide an overview of the heat wave disaster, including estimates of damage to local agricultural crops and livestock.

HEAT WAVE DISASTER RECOVERY TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Wednesday, September 6
Tulare County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office
4437 South Laspina Street, Tulare
6 PM to 8 PM
Thursday, September 14
Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
3800 Cornucopia Way, Harvest Hall, Modesto
9 AM to 11 AM

NOTE:  Damage to some crops may not be apparent until they are harvested later in the year, so additional town hall meetings may be scheduled if needed.

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                    The California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes California’s $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California’s farmers and ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter; marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible environmental stewardship.