PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
January 4, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced details regarding the ongoing operation of NDA's Generator Hotline, which was opened earlier this week to help farmers and rural residents affected by the winter storm. Ibach said the database of those with available generators and those in need of generators will be made available through various resources, including via NDA's web site, beginning today.

"We have been impressed by the level of support shown by Nebraskans for our farmers, ranchers and rural residents who are without power because of the ice storm," Director Ibach said. "Our database of those offering generators for loan or sale continues to grow. We are hopeful that by making the full database easily accessible, those in need of generators will be able to find the best match to suit their individual needs for electricity."

Individuals who have access to a generator to loan, rent, or sell, or those who are in need of a generator, should call NDA toll-free at 800-422-6692 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to be added to the database. The database will be posted on the NDA web site at www.agr.ne.gov, and will be updated at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily. Those who have generators or need generators can review the database, determine if there is a listing that fulfills their power needs, and then make direct contact with that individual.

NDA will cooperate with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) to make the listing available at those offices. Individuals also can still call NDA to receive one-on-one assistance in helping locate available generators.

"We recognize that, without power, folks will not be able to access the generator database on-line from their homes. We are hoping that by making the listing widely available, through the NDA webpage and through County Extension and FSA offices, it will get circulated and shared so that those in need will have as many options as possible for securing a generator," Ibach said. "We will work with farmers, ranchers and rural residents as much as possible, so that they can maintain their agricultural operations and homes through this challenging time."

To keep the Generator Hotline database current, those who have had their power needs met or those who have distributed their generators are asked to call the NDA hotline at 800-422-6692 and have their name removed from the listing.