USDA grants Perdue disaster request

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted Governor Sonny Perdue’s request for a primary disaster designation for 158 counties.

The designation, sent in response to a request submitted in November, was based on production losses due to drought and excessive temperatures, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.

Perdue commented on the request, saying:

“Georgia’s farmers have sustained significant economic losses due to the dry conditions in Georgia, and I’m pleased that financial relief will now be available to them.”

USDA declared 146 of Georgia’s 159 counties as primary natural disaster areas and 12 more as contiguous disaster areas. The only one of Georgia’s counties not covered by the primary or contiguous designation is McIntosh.

The 12 counties not included in the primary designation will continue to be evaluated as more assessment reports and determinations of losses are completed by the USDA. The 12 counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Bulloch, Camden, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty, Long, Terrell, Ware, and Wayne, according to the statement.

For more information: www.fsa.usda.gov.

8 counties declared disaster areas

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Edward T. Schafer has declared eight eligible counties disaster areas as a result of severe storm and hail damage. The designation was sent in response to Governor Perdue’s request submitted in November.

“Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry and the backbone of our economy,” said Governor Perdue. “With the disaster declaration, Georgia farmers will be able to receive the assistance they need.”

Based on USDA Damage Assessment Reports, farmers in the designated eight counties experienced enough damage and sufficient production loss to qualify for the disaster declaration. Eligible farmers in designated counties that meet the criteria may apply for a USDA low interest loan at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The eight counties are listed below:

Ben Hill, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Pulaski, Telfair, Turner and Wilcox.

For more information, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Castleberry's may re-open Monday in Augusta

The Castleberry's food plant in Augusta may re-open on Monday, according to a statement from Castleberry's.

The company has been working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on several mechanical and engineering upgrades at the plant, according to a spokeswoman for Castleberry's. She says there were no health or safety issues involved with these upgrades.

The FDA revoked Castleberry's operating permit two weeks ago, after they discovered mechanical problems that could have left food underprocessed.

Castleberry's had re-opened in September after a shutdown and massive recall resulting from botulism found in its canned chili sauce. The FDA says that problem was the result of underprocessed food.

No word from the FDA on Castleberry's latest statement.