Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., has initiated the process for eligible farmers affected by high water and flooding to possibly receive assistance from USDA's Farm Service Agency.

Strain asked Governor Bobby Jindal to send a letter to USDA Secretary Ed Schafer requesting that he declare Pointe Coupee Parish a disaster area and that all federal benefits be made available to farmers in the parish.

"It is imperative that a declaration be made as soon as possible to help our farmers," Strain said.

About 5,000 acres of farmland could be impacted by flooding in the Morganza Spillway area in Pointe Coupee as the Mississippi River water levels continue to increase.

During earlier spring rains, Commissioner Strain spoke with Morganza Spillway area farmers about their concerns over the Mississippi River level. He pledged any and all support that the department can provide to help farmers in their fight to hold back the water.

"We are looking at a dire situation right now, the water is already more than a foot up the sandbags that were placed last week," Strain said. "With more rain in the forecast, the river is expected to continue rising possibly overtopping the sandbags that are in place."

Strain spoke to officials with the National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers in an effort to seek additional support for the farmers.

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