Farmers ask Haley to seek direct aid for destroyed crops

South Carolina senators are joining calls for Gov. Nikki Haley to seek money from Congress for farmers whose crops were destroyed by last month’s historic flooding.

A Senate panel studying the costs of last month’s devastating storm voted Monday to send Haley a letter asking her to advocate for a direct allotment in the federal budget.

GOP Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers says farmers lost an estimated $376 million in flooded crops and fields. He says crop insurance will cover up to one-third of that. He says Haley’s office declined his request to seek federal aid, saying farmers shouldn’t be treated differently than other small businesses.

Haley’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

South Carolina Farm Bureau President Harry Ott said family farms will not survive without aid.