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Mass. delegation joins push for agricultural disaster declaration

E-mail|Link|Comments () September 25, 2009 01:57 PM

Michele McDonald for The Boston Globe

Tomatoes with late blight at Lindentree Farm in Lincoln in July

By Globe Staff

US Senator John Kerry and the other members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation joined today in requesting the declaration of an agricultural disaster due to the summer's steady rains and cool weather.

"Beginning in May 2009 and continuing into September, abnormally wet and cool weather conditions have significantly affected the growing conditions and production levels of major agricultural crops in many Massachusetts counties," the lawmakers wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Most vegetable crops are suffering, the letter said, including yellow corn, strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes.

The letter was signed by the entire delegation except for interim senator Paul Kirk, who has not been sworn in yet.

The letter said rain was 148 percent above normal in June, which was also the sixth coolest June on record in both Boston and Worcester, and likely the second cloudiest June on record since 1885. In July, rainfall was 200 percent above normal, with corresponding lower temperatures.

Governor Deval Patrick earlier this month asked federal officials to declare the disaster due to losses that are expected to amount to tens of millions of dollars, the Globe reported.