Assistance Sought For Pecan Farmers

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The governor is asking for federal aid for Oklahoma's pecan farmers. 

Governor Brad Henry issued a news release Monday saying he has sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Shafer asking for help for the state's pecan farmers who have been hit hard by inclement weather over the last year.   

The governor requested a disaster declaration for pecan farmers in 43 counties, citing the impact of the 2007 ice storm, cold weather in April and October of 2008, and heavy rains from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike this September. 

"Our pecan farmers have been hit with just about every weather challenge imaginable and have suffered losses accordingly," said Gov. Henry.  "They need federal help to get back on their feet."

Some of the counties included in the disaster request include: Atoka, Coal, Craig, Creek, Haskell, Hughes, Kay, McCurtain, McIntosh, Mayes, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.