Skillman urges farmers to seek aid

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Fifty Indiana counties now qualify as disaster areas because of drought, and farmers in those and 24 more counties qualify for federal assistance. That assistance includes crop insurance and low-interest loans from the federal government.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman met with leaders in the agriculture industry Monday afternoon to promise state support when possible and to encourage them to help get the word out about eligibility for disaster aid.

"The lack of rainfall and the severe temperatures have devastated our crops and has placed a tremendous strain on our livestock," said Skillman.

The state has established a website to help answer questions, www.drought.in.gov.

Farmers said this is the worst drought since 1988, but still not as severe as 1983.

"I think it's probably as dry as I ever remember seeing it," said Hancock County farmer Jon Sparks. "You know, we've had dry stretches, but this one has probably lasted longer than we've seen in some time."

Look for more Indiana counties to achieve disaster status in the next week or so.