STATE OF MINNESOTA Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty 1D0State Capitals 75 Rev. Dr. Matin Luther King Boulevard «Saint Paul MN'SS15 December 20, 2010 ‘The Honorable Tom Vilsack Secretary af Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture +400 Independence Avenue Southwest Washington, D.C.20250 Dear Secretary Vilsack: I respectfully request that you declare an agricultural disaster for Chippewa, Renville, ‘Wright and Freeborn Counties in Minnesota. Producers in these counties experienced significant crop losses in 2010. Situation One ~ Late Frost ~ Damage and crop loss to Apples and Grapes: Alate spring frost occurred on May 9, 2010, in Chippewa, Renville and Wright Counties. Temperatures fellow below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for more than five hours with a low of 26 degrees recorded. These low temperatures resulted in severe damage to apple and grape varieties. The frost was widespread from central Minnesota to central Wisconsin. Three central Wisconsin counties alzeady have had a Secretarial Disaster declared. Situation Two - Cumulative Weather Events ~ Damage and crop loss to Carrots, Onions and Potatoes: Cumulative weather everts including tornaclos, hail storms, heavy rain and flooding, from June 2010 through November 1, 2010, led to substantial erop loss in Freeborn County. Losses to carrot onion and potato acreage exceeded 50 percent. ‘The Loss Assessment Reports (LARs) reflect that apple and grape growers in the identified counties experienced crop losses of 30 percent or more due to frost damage in Chippewa, Renville and Wright counties, and tornads, hail storms, heavy rains and flooding in Freeborn County. A Secretarial declaration will allow affected farmers access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's low-interest Emergency Loan program administered by the Farm Service Agency. Voice: (51) 2963591 or (00) 657.317, Fa (651) 296-2089 "TDD: (651) 296-0075 or (400) 6573898 Websites ew governors aA Bats Opprtunty EmployerSecretary Vilsack Page Two December 20, 2010 ‘The Chippewa, Renville, Wright, and Freeborn County Emergency Boards have met and assessed damages, The Minnesota Farm Service Agency office convened the State Emergency Board (SEB) znd is in agreement with the LARs submitted. Iam attaching the LARs, the County Emergency Board meeting minutes, and other supporting documents. ‘Thank you for your review and consideration in this matter. — \. — Governor Enclosures: LAR-SEB Recommendation Letter ‘SEB Meeting Minutes LARS for Chippewa, Renville, Wright and Freeborn Counties County Emergency Board Meeting Minutes; Chippewa, Renwille, Wright and Freebom Counties PowerPoint Presentation