Oregon Public Broadcasting

The new Secretary of Agriculture Monday gave hope to Oregon nurseries devastated by December’s snow storms.

Secretary Tom Vilsack says the federal government just needs to confirm the extent of the damage.

On OPB’s Think Out Loud, Vilsack compared Oregon's situation to the deadly storm in the southeast last week.

Tom Vilsack: “We have just recently entered declarations for Kentucky, as a result of weather-related difficulties, and I am sure if the standards are met, and I am sure the Governor wouldn’t be requesting this if he didn’t feel the standards are being met. And if the local folks confirm that, then we’ll certainly try to provide assistance.”

Governor Ted Kulongoski and the Oregon'ss congressional delegation together requested federal assistance of up to $31 million.

The nursery industry here is one of the state’s largest, raking in about $1 billion per year.