GLICKMAN DECLARES AGRICULTURAL DISASTER IN ALABAMA, FLORIDA, NEBRASKA, AND NEW
MEXICO

                                                Release 0207.00
                                                               
                            Mary Beth Schultheis (202) 720-4623
                                  mary_beth.schultheis@usda.gov
                                                               

GLICKMAN DECLARES AGRICULTURAL DISASTER IN ALABAMA, FLORIDA, NEBRASKA, AND NEW
MEXICO

     Washington, DC, June 23, 2000   Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
declared parts of Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, and New Mexico agricultural
disaster areas due to drought, making farmers in those areas eligible for
emergency low-interest loans.  

     USDA is also allowing livestock grazing on some Conservation Reserve
Program land in areas experiencing serious drought conditions.  Glickman also
said USDA is providing loans to help ranchers get desperately needed water to
their livestock.  

     "This has been a devastating year for America's farmers and ranchers,
following last year's drought and historically low prices," said Glickman. 
"USDA is responding quickly and in every way we can to help."  

     Glickman's disaster declaration covers 64 of Alabama's 67 counties, 41
of Florida's 67 counties, 17 of Nebraska's 93 counties, and 27 of New Mexico's
33 counties.  All contiguous counties are also covered by the declaration and
therefore eligible for the same benefits.  

     The declaration makes qualified family-sized farm operators in both
primary and contiguous counties eligible for low-interest emergency USDA
loans.  Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of this
declaration to apply for the loans to help cover part of their actual losses.
USDA's Farm Service Agency will consider each loan application on its own
merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available,
repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.

     Emergency grazing of CRP acreage is permitted only after a natural
disaster, such as drought or flood, damages the growth of hay or pasture (40
percent loss of normal growth and 40 percent deviation from normal moisture). 
Emergency haying has not been authorized at this time.

     Interested farmers may contact their local FSA offices for further
information.  Additional information is available on the web at
www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/disaster/assistance1.htm .  
     
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