VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44) - As drought conditions continue, Vermont's Agency of Agriculture released a letter requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation, directed to the USDA.

This state-wide designation could help farmers still recovering from flooding over previous seasons, Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts notes in this letter.

"Farmers continue working tirelessly to feed us, but they are struggling to absorb the significant costs of successive natural disasters."

According to the letter, which was sent prior to the current government shutdown, August was the direst Vermont has seen in the last 130 years. Over 90% of the state was reported to be in extreme or severe drought as of September 23 this year.

A disaster designation has already been issued for Orange and Windsor counties

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