Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188
June 19, 2008
With much of the Midwest affected by recent flooding, USDA's CSREES and the Cooperative Extension System (CES) are providing resources and information to help people in need. USDA resources for flood victims, including food safety tips and disaster assistance programs, are available at www.usda.gov/flooding.
The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), a CES collaboration, is working across state lines to ensure educational resources and materials are easily accessible to those in need. EDEN established a clearinghouse of flood information, which includes resources on emergency food and drinking water safety, home flood cleanup and repair, as well as feeding and care of livestock during and after floods.
Iowa State University Extension has news and resources about the current situation in Iowa with updates on the impact to the economy, corn production, crop disease, crop insurance and lawn, landscape and garden concerns. Audio interviews by specialists are available on their Web site. Other resources are available on food safety; household cleanup; crop concerns; livestock concerns; dealing with tree damage; wells and water; stress; and preserving papers, records, photographs and books.
From the onset of the 2008 Midwest flooding, EDEN has been implementing lessons learned as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the North Dakota floods of 1997 and the Missouri floods of 1993. Many of the resources needed to deal with this type of disaster have already been developed, refined and organized by extension specialists across the country during and after the aforementioned events. These educational pieces are quickly becoming preferred resources. Extension flood recovery educational materials are regularly being requested by other agencies, such as the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, county Red Cross, and local United Way offices.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.