LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation has donated $10,000 to the Conway County Conservation district, to be distributed to agricultural producers in five counties impacted by the Feb. 5 tornadoes.

The funds are to be used for the removal of debris, the cleanup and removal of poultry litter, and for the disposal of dead animals on farms affected by the recent storms in Conway, Pope, Van Buren, Stone and Izard counties. The funds were approved for distribution on a 90/10 cost share basis with affected producers. The Conservation District has the discretion to distribute the funds in the most efficient and effective manner.

The contribution matches a commitment made by the Monsanto Company, also intended to assist agricultural producers affected by the storm. Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.

“We sincerely hope that these contributions will allow the efforts of the Conservation District to be expanded,” said Stanley Reed, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau, “so that the farm families impacted by this disaster will receive beneficial financial help.”

Reed noted that these funds were outside of the scope of any insurance claims that farmers might have.

“These funds are being made available to help cover some of the costs of clean up,” he said. “We know the farmers affected by this storm – like everyone else – want to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, and we want to help with that.”