By Jacque Day
Tennessee – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has requested natural agriculture disaster status for 15 counties after recent severe storms and historic flooding. Obion County is among the list. Haslam made the request in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. A secretarial designation would make farmers in Obion and adjoining counties eligible for assistance. Farmers have reported crop losses ranging from 30 to 60 percent, and higher in some cases. Farmers also report widespread debris, livestock losses and extensive damage to buildings and equipment.