<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%"> Washington, DC</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By Jordan Okumura<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">04.15.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The USDA has recently designated six counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas. They have been identified in three separate designations due to various disasters, according to a press release.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Our hearts go out to those Florida farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Florida producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>According to a release:</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Designation #1<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties in Florida have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to freezes and frosts that occurred Feb. 17 – March 4, 2013. Farmers and ranchers in Alachua, Clay, Duval, Marion and Volusia counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Designation #2<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Holmes and Washington counties in Florida have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to frosts, excessive rain, flooding, flash flooding and high winds that occurred Feb. 4 – March 4, 2013. Farmers and ranchers in Bay, Jackson and Walton counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Farmers and ranchers in Geneva County in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their county is contiguous.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Designation #3<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Palm Beach County in Florida have been designated as a primary natural disaster area due to freezes, frosts and high winds that occurred March 3-4, 2013. Farmers and ranchers in Broward, Glades, Hendry, Martin and Okeechobee counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas on April 3, 2013.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
