UTAH AG NEWS
February 2005

Flood damage to Southern Utah farm and ranch land has reached an estimated $5 million, prompting Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard M. Blackham to request State and Federal Agricultural Disaster Declarations.

"Today I am officially requesting that Governor Huntsman issue an Agricultural Disaster Declaration for Washington and Iron Counties," said Commissioner Blackham. "At the same time, we are seeking a federal Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," he said.

The declarations will make emergency programs and low interest loans available to qualified farmers and ranchers struck by record flooding.

In his letter to Governor Huntsman, Commissioner Blackham wrote, "I have received documentation from the Washington and Iron County USDA Emergency Boards, and must report to you that the flooding event of January 9, 10 and 11, 2005 has caused severe damage to numerous agricultural land owners in Washington and Iron Counties. Rainfall, estimated to be three to four times the normal precipitation amounts, triggered severe flash flood events."

According to damage assessments conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, approximately $5 million dollars damage has been incurred by 60 to 75 farms and ranches along the Virgin and Santa Clara River areas of Washington and Iron Counties. The flooding also caused an estimated $1.5 million damage to an additional 20 to 30 farms and ranches in Clark County, Nevada.

Irrigation systems have been washed out and farm areas are covered with debris and sediment. A few small farms have been wiped out and are now part of the river channel. Concern also exists that 2,300 acres of valuable crop land will not receive irrigation water, causing a loss of income to several farmers.

Farmers and ranchers in the affected areas are encouraged to contact their county FSA office to report losses and sign up for the agency's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Visit: www.fsa.usda.gov or contact Washington County FSA office at (435) 673-2381 or the Iron County FSA office at: (435) 586-7274.

The UDAF can offer two loan programs designed to assist farmers in need. The agency's ARDL program can help mitigate damages resulting from natural disasters, and the Rural Rehabilitation Program can help farmers and ranchers restructure debt while landowners are rebuilding their businesses. Information about both programs is available at: www.ag.utah.gov/mktcons/agloans.html. Visit the UDAF website for more disaster relief information: www.ag.utah.gov.

An example of farmland flooding in Southern Utah. Roughly 5,000 acres were damaged or destroyed by flooding by the Santa Clara and Virgin Rivers and surrounding creeks. Landowners are encouraged to report any damage to their local FSA office.

Daggett and Uintah Counties Eligible for
USDA Emergency Loans Due to Drought

On January 10, 2005, Secretary Veneman designated several counties in Colorado eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loans due to production losses. Those losses were a result of drought, hail and freezing temperatures that occurred at various times in 2004. The designation makes all qualified family-sized farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency loans from USDA FSA. Contact USDA-FSA for more information.

UDAF Watershed Education Team Brings Water Information
To Backman Elementary

Backman Elementary School's fourth grade students spent more than an hour living life as a water molocule as part of the Utah Department of Agriculture's (UDAF) Watershed Education Program. The students spent time learning how water changes form from liquid, to vapor, to a solid as part of a lesson on the water cycle.

UDAF volunteers, Jack Wilbur, Virgina Slighting, W.D. Robinson, and Larry Lewis plan to make regular visits to the school to help teachers teach the importance of watersheds.

The program is a continuation of last year's Watershed Initiative undertaken by then Governor Olene Walker. The program's goal is to introduce students to the concept of watersheds as a way to protect and increase Utah's water supply. Properly managed watersheds can increase the amount of water available for agricultural and culinary use.

Q...What is a watershed?
A...A watershed is a distinct area of land that is drained by a distinct stream or river system, either into a larger system or into a common body of water.

Watershed lesson #2.
Q.. What is pictured above? A...A tree and river.
Q.. How are the two alike? A.. Both involve water flow.
Q.. How are they different? A.. One is alive, one is not.

Leonard Blackham Named New Agriculture Commissioner

Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. named Leonard Blackham, V.P. and Manager of Moroni Feed Co., Commissioner of Agriculture and Food January 5, 2005. Blackham becomes the state's 6th Commissioner since Utah adopted the single commissioner structure. The Utah Legislature confirmed Blackham's appointment on Monday, Jan. 17, and the commissioner officially moved into his office the next day.

Blackham has been in the turkey farming business all of his professional life. He was elected to the Utah House of Representative in 1992 but before taking the oath of office was appointed to the Utah Senate. Leonard has served for 12 years in the Senate- 10 years in leadership roles. His leadership positions include:

Majority Whip (1995 - 2000)
Majority Leader (2000)
Senate Chair of Rural Caucus (1994-2004)
Executive Appropriations Senate Chair (2001-2004)
Energy Policy Task Force Senate Chair (1998-2004)
Legislative Process Committee Senate Chair (1995-2004)
Lands Conservation Task Force Senate Chair (1996)
Legislative Child Care Task Force Senate Chair (1999)
State Water Development Commission Senate Chair (1998-2002) Applied Technology Education Task Force Senate Chair (2001) Member Standing and Interim Ag, Natural Resources, Health and Taxation

Leonard earned an associate's degree at Snow College and a bachelor's in agriculture economics from Utah State University. He and his wife, Laura, reside in Moroni and are parents to 6 children and 7 grandchildren.

UDAF Employees Welcome Commissioner Blackham

UDAF employees extended a friendly welcome to newly appointed Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard M. Blackham Tuesday, January 18, 2005. Commissioner Blackham and his wife Laura, personally met with the more than 100 Salt Lake-based employees who were able to attend the gathering.

"I am very pleased be here," said Blackham. "The department has an excellent reputation around the state, and it is because of your fine work," he added.

The Commissioner acknowledged the department's important mission to protect the safety of the food supply and help strengthen the vitality of the agricultural economy, especially in rural Utah. He said he looked forward to working with the many programs administered by the department and to carry out their goals.

	Commissioner Blackham is greeted by department employees Claudette Walcott (left) and Marolyn Leetham (center).
Commissioner Blackham chats with department employees Sue Mounteer (center) and Kristie Wernli (right).
	Terry Menlove (left) and George Hopkin (center) met the Commissioner's wife, Laura Blackham, during the "Meet the Commissioner" gathering held Tuesday, January 18.