Zweifel Meets With Ozarks Farmers to Outline HELP System

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. -- Ozarks farmers are struggling under the worst drought since the 1950s.

Farmers in Missouri may be eligible for a loan approval process called the Harmed-area Emergency Loan Priority system -- or HELP -- that cuts through the red tape.

Under the program, farmers may be eligible for quicker loan approval -- 24 hours instead of the normal 10 days. The low interest loans are part of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program.

Leon Kleeman and his wife Glenda own Gleonda Angus Farm in Lawrence County. He says the cost of raising his cattle is going up while the price he gets when he sells them is staying flat.

"I wasn't but 10 years old back in the '50s, but I went through that. Last year was really -- probably drier than we are this year, so we're one back-to-back I guess you'd say."

The loan program is administered by the State Treasurer's Office. Treasurer Clint Zweifel toured the Keemans' operation to see how the drought impacts ranchers.

Zweifel, a Democrat, is running for re-election in November.

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