Saline County qualifies for federal disaster aid/County also leads state in Century Farms

Saline County is included in a federal disaster declaration following recent flooding on the Missouri River, according to the Federal Emergency Management Web site.

Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner said at the commission meeting Tuesday, June 12, that the county had not officially been notified yet, but when it is, she will schedule a meeting of levee district representatives.

"Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding," according to the FEMA news release.

The affected counties, in addition to Saline County, include Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Saline, and Worth counties.

The FEMA announcement also notes that federal assistance will be available to individuals in 17 Missouri counties, not including Saline County.

In other business, the commission was informed by Cynthia Crawford, county program director for the University of Missouri Extension, that Saline County appears to be the clear leader in the state for Century Farm designations this year.

Crawford said at least 11 family farms are slated to receive the designation this year, double the number of last year and double the number of the county with the next highest number.

"It's always a pleasure to come with happy news," she told the commission. "Saline County has always had the most (Century Farms) and we continue to have that distinction."

Crawford said planning is underway for this year's Century Farm recognition reception and general celebration of agriculture in the county.

The event is scheduled for Nov. 8.

The commission also released recent sales tax figures. The current month total of $125,291 is down about $8,000 from the same period last year, but the subtotal for this year is still more than $22,000 ahead of last year's pace, according to Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown.

Contact Eric Crump at

marshalleditor@socket.net