By Angela Hatton
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has put in a request for U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance for farmers in counties affected by drought. The request includes 35 counties in western and central Kentucky.
"The farmers are really suffering. And that's what these programs are designed for are these unusual conditions like a drought, and uh, we've certainly had it here in Kentucky, and hopefully Secretary Vilsack will look favorably on our request very quickly."
Last week, the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet issued a Level 1 Drought Declaration in western Kentucky. An estimated 60 percent of corn production has been lost this growing season.