Robert Aderholt
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt today released the following statement announcing $8 million in federal funding available directly to farmers in Alabama to install irrigation infrastructure.
“This is the beginning of funding that is now being made available to directly help farmers in North Alabama weather droughts while being good stewards of our natural resources. The money available will assist those who farm land along the Wheeler Lake Reservoir. Specifically, it will help farmers install irrigation systems on farmland in Lawrence County upstream of Wheeler Dam and those who are downstream of the Guntersville Dam in Marshall County, in areas such as Parches Cove and Greenbriar Cove.
“This investment is another example of how President Trump’s administration, and this Congress, have come together to support and provide for rural America, especially Alabama. The funding will help local farmers in underserved areas better weather severe droughts like the most recent one in 2016. Federal funding, such as this, is a proven example of how partnerships between federal, state and local governments, benefits communities. This is exactly the type of partnerships we should be forming to best use the taxpayers’ dollars. Investing in our agriculture and conservation communities will pay dividends for decades to come and I look forward to seeing the benefits of this partnership between the government and our state’s farmers.”
More Facts About the Program:
- The NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Alabama division will implement the program
- Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee is the sponsoring local organization
- Auburn University and the University of Alabama Huntsville will provide technical assistance
Farmers can sign up for the program here: https://alconservationdistricts.gov/district-list/
A note of clarification about the press release below. The funding applies to farmers along the Tennessee River in the Wheeler Lake Reservoir. In the 4th Congressional District that would impact Lawrence County and Marshall County. However, in the 5th Congressional District it would also impact Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties, we just don’t mention them in the release since they are in Congressman Brooks’ district. The most important thing to remember is that it is for farmers downstream of Guntersville Dam and upstream of Wheeler Dam.
Media Release/Carson G. Clark, Press Secretary Congressman Robert Aderholt
