Guinn seeks federal drought relief

Gov. Kenny Guinn has asked the federal Agriculture Department for drought relief, saying all 17 Nevada counties are in dire straits.

Nevada was granted $5 million in financial aid in September 2003 because of the ongoing drought. He said Wednesday the state is now in its fifth year of drought "and Nevada's agricultural producers are being hit hard."

"I owe it to our farmers and ranchers to seek this relief."

According to the 2004 Nevada Damage Assessment Report, some Nevada counties suffered as much as a 100 percent loss of production on certain crops because of the combined effects of the drought and Mormon cricket and grasshopper infestations.

A drought designation would make all qualified farm operators in the state eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. In addition, farmers and ranchers would be eligible to receive most emergency farm assistance passed by Congress in the coming year.