LITTLE ROCK, AR (abc24.com) - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare the entire state a disaster are due to persistently severe drought conditions.
Governor Beebe stated to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsach that dry conditions have led to severe drought in almost the entire state, and extreme drought in more than a third of the state.
"It will take much more than the recent scattered rain to break these drought conditions," Governor Beebe said. "Many of our farmers and ranchers face a tough season ahead, and the federal government can provide them with tools to ease the financial impact of crop losses."
If a federal disaster declaration is issued, eligible ranchers and farmers whose operations and livelihood have been disadvantaged could receive emergency loans.
