
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 6, 1994                   TAG: 9410110057
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Paul Dellinger
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHRISTMAS TREE FARMERS ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL AID

The Southwest Virginia counties of Grayson, Smyth and Washington have been declared a federal disaster area for Christmas tree growers whose products had heavy damage from an unseasonal freeze this year.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, at the request of Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, on Wednesday declared those three counties primary agricultural disaster areas and the counties of Bland, Carroll, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wythe as contiguous disaster areas for tree growers.

The declaration makes growers in all those localities eligible for low-interest federal loans. Boucher said the Farmers Home Administration would work with the growers on the application process.

About 130 Christmas tree farmers were affected by the freeze.

by CNB