Boxer, Feinstein Secure Disaster Relief for California Specialty Crop Growers

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) today praised the Senate’s passage of an amendment that included $150 million sought by the two California senators for disaster relief for specialty crop producers who have suffered heavy losses because of years of drought.

The emergency assistance, included in an amendment by Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), will provide critical help for California specialty crop growers. California is the largest specialty crop producer in the country.

Senator Boxer said, “I was pleased to work with Senator Feinstein and Senator Lincoln to pass an amendment that will help provide relief to California specialty crop growers. Growers in California have experienced significant crop losses due to an extended period of drought, and these funds will help many get through these tough times.”

Senator Feinstein said, “This much needed amendment gives specialty crop farmers access to emergency financial assistance regardless of whether their crops were devastated by too much water or too little. This is especially welcome news to farmers in the Central Valley, where drought cost nearly $600 million in lost crops last year and forced the fallowing of more than 400,000 acres of farm land. This amendment ensures that these specialty crop farmers will finally receive the assistance they need.”

Senators Boxer and Feinstein fought to ensure that California specialty crop growers who suffered losses due to drought would be eligible to receive disaster assistance that was already included in the bill. The Senate approved the amendment as part of broader legislation to extend unemployment benefits and health benefits for jobless workers, and extend tax provisions for businesses and individuals, which is expected to pass the Senate this week.

The emergency aid will be awarded to states based on the value of specialty crop losses in 2009, and states will distribute the aid to growers in primary disaster counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 24 of the California’s 58 counties as primary disaster counties due to drought conditions.

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