A USDA official says the department is watching the flooding closely and will be assisting farmers throughout the flooding event.

Farm and Foreign Service Deputy Under Secretary Karis Gutten toured flooding in Iowa Wednesday and northwest Missouri Thursday.

Gutten also met with producers to talk about United States Department of Agriculture’s resources that are available to them.  Some of those resources though, may not be put in place until after the flood waters start to recede.  He said the best way to find how those resources can help producers is to contact the local Farm Service Agency.  Click the play button to listen to Gutten’s comments while touring a flooded area near Big Lake in Holt County Thursday morning.
[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Gutten.mp3|titles=Gutten]

Gutten, From the Mississippi Delta area, said he understands the devastation flooding can cause.  He stated the USDA will continue to work with other federal partners to continue helping the farmers in the area get through the flood event.