Associated Press - October 22, 2009 5:35 PM ET
POWELL, Wyo. (AP) - The Park County Commission has asked Gov. Dave Freudenthal to request an agricultural disaster declaration because of crops losses from an early freeze.
In a letter sent Wednesday, the commission said unseasonable cold and freezing weather from Oct. 6 through Oct. 13 damaged crops in the northern Wyoming county.
If the governor concurs with the request, he will pass it on to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who will approve or deny the designation.
A disaster declaration would allow area farmers to qualify for low-interest loans and possibly federal compensation for some of their losses.
This month's cold snap wreaked havoc on what was expected to be a record sugar beet harvest. Other crops, such as dry beans, alfalfa seed, wheat and corn, also have been damaged.
Information from: Powell Tribune - Powell, http://www.powelltribune.com
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