By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-984226.mp3
Plattsburgh, NY – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture says Irene's heavy rains accompanied by high winds left farmers with flooded fields and barns, debris, and limited options for milk pick-ups. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Diane Bothfeld says a full assessment has yet to be done while other emergency response is underway.
Bothfeld says the 3 largest counties for dairy were mostly spared from the storm, but there are dairy farms struggling.
New York Farm Bureau Spokesman Peter Gregg says there has been a lot of damage across eastern NY to crops, livestock and land.
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation President Rich Bonanno says as you move west across the commonwealth, significant damage occurred to the agricultural infrastructure.
Agriculture officials are urging farmers to report any damages. Vermont's Diane Bothfeld explains that agricultural disaster declarations are separate from the federal declaration that the President has declared.
Farmers should contact the USDA's Farm Service Agency to report losses.