U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos urged U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to issue a federal disaster declaration for areas of Illinois’ 17th congressional district. “Our region is facing unprecedented weather conditions – the likes of which our farmers and producers have never seen in their lives,” said Bustos, D-East Moline. “Flooded fields are preventing farmers from getting crops in the ground this season and it’s clear they are in need of assistance. I’ll do everything in my power to provide producers with the tools they need to overcome these difficult times.” (FarmWeekNow)