Issue Position: 2007 California Crop Freeze

Issue Position

The unexpected freeze from January 6, 2007 through January 19, 2007 has destroyed an estimated $1.15 billion in crops with possible longer-term impact to be determined in future crop cycles.

In response, I have taken several steps to urge swift and appropriate Federal assistance. In January I signed a bi-partisan Congressional letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and President George W. Bush urging immediate response to California 's request for assistance. I have communicated with the California Secretary of Agriculture A.G. Kawamura, local Farm Bureaus and growers to stay informed of the latest needs and responses.

To address immediate concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shipped 137 truckloads of food to area food banks. Deliveries to San Diego and Riverside Counties have continued through August 2007.

The Federal government has made loan assistance available through the United States Department of Agriculture Low Interest Emergency Farm Loans (www.fsa.usda.gov) and $8.5 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans have been approved through the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov).

Federal income tax relief is available under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 165(i). Check with a tax specialist for more information.

Update! On August 16th, 2007 the U.S. Department of Agriculture allocated $5 million in Emergency Conservation Program Funding to Riverside County . This funding will assist farmers and ranchers hurt by the January 2007 freeze. Impacted Riverside farmers may contact the Farm Service Center in Indio, California at 760-347-3675 for additional information.

I realize the continuing burden the freeze has placed on San Diego and Riverside area growers and will continue to work with Federal and California officials to ensure support.

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