Order makes it easier for farmers to irrigate crops
Racine, Walworth and Kenosha counties are among the 42 counties in Wisconsin declared under a state of emergency by Gov. Scott Walker Monday due to dry conditions.
The declaration allows farmers to seek expedited permits to temporarily use stream or lake water for irrigation.
“The lack of rainfall since May in the southern half of the state has hit hard in a crucial part of the growing season,” Walker said in a statement released by his office Monday.
The U.S. Drought Monitor for the first time this week reported the southern tiers of Wisconsin counties to be in drought and the rest of the southern half of the state has been labeled abnormally dry.
“These farm families are suffering under the stress and worry, but this is also a matter of statewide importance,” Walker said, noting agriculture adds more than $59 billion to Wisconsin’s annual economic output and accounts for 354,000 jobs – one in every 10 Wisconsinite depends on agriculture for employment.
During a state of emergency, the Department of Natural Resources can expedite requests from farmers to divert water from streams and lakes for irrigation. The DNR must inspect the stream or lake in question within 72 hours of the request, to assure that fish and other aquatic life will not be harmed by the diversion.
Walker also encouraged farmers to report crop conditions to their local U.S. Farm Service Agency office. The FSA compiles this information. Information gathered would provide the basis for the governor to request a disaster declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, which could make low-cost emergency loans and other assistance available to farmers.
Farmers can also turn to the Wisconsin Farm Center, housed in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The Farm Center staff can provide referrals and information about available services, including such things as finding feed, financial planning assistance, and mediation between farmers and creditors.
Farmers can call the center toll-free at (800) 942-2474, or email [email protected]. The center is staffed 7:45 a.m-4:30 p.m. weekdays.
The declaration covers the following counties: Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood, and any county contiguous to the named counties at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and upon written notification to the governor.
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