Fayette, Coweta designated federal agricultural disaster areas for drought, heat

Ongoing drought and excessive heat have created an officially designated disaster for area farmers, the federal government says.

Fayette and Coweta counties are among 150 Georgia counties designated as agricultural disaster areas eligible for federal relief funds, according to Gov. Nathan Deal in a Sept. 9 news release.

Other area counties receiving the federal designation include Fulton, Douglas, Henry, Pike, Carroll and Meriwether. Neighboring Clayton was named a “contiguous disaster” county also.

“In response to a letter sent by Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack determined that, due to the ongoing drought and excessive heat, 150 Georgia counties suffered production losses great enough to warrant a secretarial natural disaster designation,” the news release said.

“I am grateful for Secretary Vilsack’s timely response on this important request for our state,” said Deal. “With this designation, farmers and their businesses will qualify for much-needed relief. It is my hope that this aid will relieve some of the burden this drought has caused the No. 1 industry in our state.

“I also extend my appreciation to Georgia’s congressional delegation for their support of my request to Secretary Vilsack.”