CHEYENNE — Gov. Dave Freudenthal in a letter today asked Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack for assistance in securing an agri-business disaster designation in four Wyoming counties: Big Horn, Park, Platte and Sheridan.

“Federal emergency assistance that attends a disaster declaration will certainly be helpful in providing some degree of much needed relief for the people of the affected area,” Freudenthal wrote.

A severe freeze in early October caused acute crop damage to agricultural producers for the 2009 production year.

“I am very aware of the economic hardship this kind of weather disaster can cause,” Freudenthal said.  “If we can get this declaration, it will help,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will investigate the request: survey, assess and evaluate the damage claims; make a determination, and if deemed warranted under the department’s criteria, provide the appropriate assistance.