JEFFERSON CITY — Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, earlier this month urged officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers in Missouri counties who have suffered losses to their crops and livestock as a result of the ongoing drought in the Show-Me State. The federal agency recently answered Sen. Mayer’s and other public officials’ call for help by providing access to low-interest loans and other assistance from the FSA.

All 114 counties in Missouri, which include the seven that make up the 25th Senatorial District, received the designation as primary natural disaster areas. This designation allows eligible farmers to be considered for assistance from the FSA, which includes emergency loans administered by the agency.

“You only need to step outside and take a look at the conditions that surround our state,” said Sen. Mayer. “This string of hot, humid and precipitation-free days and weeks has had a serious impact on our farmers and ranchers — hard-working Missourians who work each day to support our state’s No. 1 industry.”

The drought disaster declaration came after the USDA’s drought damage assessment, which found that every county in Missouri either lost at least 30 percent of its estimated single crop yield or individual farmers suffered production losses totaling more than 30 percent.

Sen. Mayer states the numerous devastating social, environmental and economical effects severe droughts can inflict on Missouri and its citizens, including damages in crop quality, and ultimately food shortages; water-usage conflicts; reduction and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat, leading to a complete loss of wildlife in some areas; a reduction or complete loss of economic development; and an increase in the cost of food for those who live in and get their food from Missouri, among other factors.

Most recently, a state of an emergency was issued that authorizes the State Soil and Water Districts Commission to implement an emergency cost-share program for water source development and/or water distribution practices to assist farmers and livestock producers who are adversely impacted by the current drought.

“This emergency program implementation means continued assistance for Missourians within the agriculture industry whose livelihood has been threatened by the drought,” said Sen. Mayer. “Farmers and livestock producers can benefit from the emergency program, which will make it easier for these industry professionals who have been severely impacted by this ongoing drought, allowing them to drill for or deepen water wells or take up other water distribution projects more quickly in order to take care of their crops and livestock.”

Eligibility criteria for the emergency program include:

• The applicant must be engaged in livestock or crop production and experiencing a water shortage caused directly by the current drought conditions.
• The water shortage is severely impacting the well-being of the farmer’s livestock or crop production.
• The proposed water source development or water distribution practice will immediately benefit livestock and crops.
• Drilling for or deepening water wells will not adversely affect a public water supply.

“With the FSA’s assistance and the recent executive order declaring a state of emergency, Missouri farmers and ranchers now have available channels to receive much-needed help to get them through the rest of the summer and into the fall and winter months,” said Sen. Mayer. “I’m pleased the FSA answered our call to provide our citizens with these valuable resources. It only takes a few minutes in speaking with these dedicated farmers and ranchers to know that conditions are beyond bad. However, our state’s citizens are resilient, and with this assistance, Missourians will be able to begin to rebound from this long-lasting drought.”

For more information on all disaster designation and declaration assistance in the Show-Me State, contact the Missouri State Farm Service Agency Office at (573) 876-0980 or your local county agency office. To apply for the emergency cost-share program implemented this week, contact your county local soil and water district or visit SWCD.MO.gov to view each county’s soil and water district. Applications for this emergency program must be submitted by Aug. 6, 2012, and the local soil and water district will act on each application within 72 hours of its receipt.

Locust Str. Flowers will join thousands of Teleflora local member florists across the country today for Make Someone Smile Week. The program runs from July 22-28, and is a joint project spearheaded by local Teleflora member florists who volunteer their time to create and deliver bouquets made in Teleflora's signature 'Be Happy!' mugs to those in need of a smile. Developed by Teleflora in 2000, Make Someone Smile has grown to become one of the floral industry's most successful cause-related initiatives in North America.
Above, Locust Str. Flowers team members (from left) Lexi, Willa, Kim, and Daryl prepare arrangements to be delivered this afternoon. (ShowMe Times photo by Andrew Cato)

By order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices statewide will be flown at half-staff for one full day on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from sunrise until sunset in memory of Specialist Sterling William Wyatt who died while serving his country in Afghanistan.
 
Also, by order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, in Boone County only, from sunrise on Saturday, July 21, 2012, until sunset on Friday, July 27, 2012, in memory of Specialist Sterling William Wyatt.
 
Your office is responsible for distributing this information throughout your department for compliance with this order statewide on July 21 and in Boone County from July 21 through July 27.  A copy of the Governor’s order is available here.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The 20th Annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade feature kids decked in red, white and blue, decorated scooters, bikes, wagons and battery-powered vehicles, and even pets ready to celebrate the national holiday.

The parade, hosted by Jason and Kristi Banken, is a community tradition on the July 4 Independence Day holiday. The children and their families gather in the Banken’s front yard, near the intersection of Elm and Vine streets. The patriotic parade steps off on Elm, heads north to Stoddard Street.

On Stoddard, the group pauses at the Post Office for photos, and an Independence Day celebration. Kids and adults alike join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and raise voices in song – the year the repertoire included “Yankee Doodle” and “”You’re A Grand Old Flag.”

The ensemble then begins its march again on Stoddard, heading to Poplar and turning south and marching to Vine, and back to the intersection with Elm.

The kids and families then enjoyed cool lemonade and cookies and celebrate the special day.

It's time to "Celebrate America" and wave the  red, white, and blue. It's July! And helping to usher in the patriotic month is the July ShowMe Spotlight girl, Whitney Layton. Whitney graduated in May from Dexter High School and is the daughter of Donnie and Janet Layton of Dexter. While at DHS, Whitney was a member of Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the  DHS Band Color Guard, the Lady Bearcat softball quad, and was a member of the Chamber Choir where she participated in solos and ensembles. Whitney is also involved in the community, and is a member of the Dexter Show Choir, and returned last month from the Show Choir's succesful concert tour in Branson. The ShowMe Spotlight is a monthly feature of the ShowMe Times, featuring one of the Top  finalists in the annual Miss Dexter Pageant. (Photo by SMT Reader Shannon Putnam. Thanks, Shannon, for everything!!)