Rick Scott Wants USDA to Include Volusia County in Emergency Declaration

At the end of December, in his final days as governor, Charlie Crist sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that 35 of the states 67 counties be included in a USDA Secretarial Emergency Declaration.Floridians whose crops or livestock were impacted by the weather could be eligible for various programs, including loans, through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and other federal agencies if Vilsack makes such a declaration.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to Vilsack asking him to include Volusia County on the list due to freeze and frost suffered in December that will impact the 2011 crops.