Gov. Quinn talks drought in southern Illinois - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Gov. Quinn talks drought in southern Illinois

Posted: Updated:
Heartland News - email
The governor and other state leaders gathered in a farmer's field to talk about the widespread drought and what can be done to help farmers recoup some of their losses. The governor and other state leaders gathered in a farmer's field to talk about the widespread drought and what can be done to help farmers recoup some of their losses.
Through a series of both federal and state programs farmers will now be able to tap into hundreds of thousands of dollars in agricultural loans. Through a series of both federal and state programs farmers will now be able to tap into hundreds of thousands of dollars in agricultural loans.

  • Heartland News

  • Friday, May 17 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:28:19 GMT
    When someone is texting and driving, they can travel an entire football field in just about the time it takes to read a text. So, what can parents do to prevent their teen from getting in a deadly wreck
    When someone is texting and driving, they can travel an entire football field in just about the time it takes to read a text. So, what can parents do to prevent their teen from getting in a deadly wreck

  • Monday, May 20 2013 8:47 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:47:43 GMT
    An employee of Chicago's Navy Pier has met his goal, breaking the record for the longest Ferris wheel ride and bringing the record to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.
    A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days, bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 8:45 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:45:11 GMT
    Police in eastern Kentucky say 1 man died and another injured by a gunshot after the two got into an argument involving an all-terrain vehicle.
    Police in eastern Kentucky say 1 man died and another injured by a gunshot after the two got into an argument involving an all-terrain vehicle.
    •   
WALTONVILLE, IL (KFVS) -

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn spent Monday afternoon in southern Illinois to talk with local farmers about the drought.

Many of the farmers say this is the worst drought they've seen in more than 60 years in southern Illinois.

Now the conditions have become so bad that the federal government and state of Illinois are teaming up to try and help farmers affected by the drought.

The governor and other state leaders gathered in a farmer's field to talk about the widespread drought and what can be done to help farmers recoup some of their losses.

Through a series of both federal and state programs farmers will now be able to tap into hundreds of thousands of dollars in agricultural loans.

The effort is one that Gov. Quinn says will hopefully keep farming going for generations to come.

"When it's all said and done in Illinois it's all about family," said Gov. Quinn. "These are our families. These are our neighbors, our men and women of agriculture. Who till our fields and plow our fields. And they plant our crops and harvest our crops."

Some of the farmers on hand say that they appreciate the available funds the state and federal governments are making available to them fro drought relief.

But in the end, that money will still have to be paid back by them over the coming years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared a disaster for 33 counties in Illinois.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.