GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN HAS REQUESTED A FEDERAL DESIGNATION OF AGRICULTURAL DISASTER FOR 28 TENNESSEE COUNTIES INCLUDING THE TRI CITES BECAUSE OF CROP AND LIVESTOCK LOSSES RESULTING FROM DROUGHT. AMONG THE COUNTIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE ARE UNICOI, WASHINGTON, AND GREENE. A DESIGNATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WOULD ALLOW QUALIFYING FARMERS TO RECEIVE A FEDERAL FARM DISASTER ASSISTANCE THAT COULD HELP THEM MANAGE LOSSES AND PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR. THE GOVERNOR SAID FARMERS IN THESE COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED CROP LOSSES AS MUCH AS 35 TO 70 PERCENT DUE TO BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL, LOW WATER LEVELS, AND A RAINFALL DEFICIT THAT HAS CARRIED OVER FROM LAST YEAR.