Tagged: drought

The rainfall from Hurricane Isaac is both good and bad news for southeast Iowa farmers.

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from August 2012.

During the month, State Senator John Sullivan of Rushville announced he would take a brief leave to be treated for a rare form of cancer, voters went to the polls in Burlington and in northeast Missouri, and Bushnell's mayor announced he would not run for another term.

This summer's combination of high temperatures and little precipitation has impacted just about every type of farmer. Nonetheless, some are finding ways to get by.

John Curtis, owner and operator of Barefoot Gardens, said he's dug a deeper well to come up with enough water for his crops. However, he's also had to contend with a problem pump.

“Sometimes I have water, sometimes I don't. When I don't, it really shows quickly,” Curtis said.

He had to conserve water until he deepened the well.

All counties in Illinois have  been designated as “primary disaster areas” due to drought.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the designations came at the request of Governor Pat Quinn and  because of a national drought monitor that shows lack of rain plaguing the entire state. All counties have been affected by drought  for  at least the past eight weeks.

The designations mean all Illinois farmers are eligible for emergency loans from the federal government.