WASHINGTON, DC In an effort to aid Rhode Island farmers who are suffering with the loss of their harvests following the recent flooding in the state, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) sent letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Senate Appropriations Committees Agriculture Subcommittee requesting federal assistance. The text of Reeds letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture follows:I write in support of the state of Rhode Islands request for a disaster declaration for all five counties of the state.Rhode Island experienced more than 16 inches of rain during the months of May and June, devastating local farms across the state.  The heavy rainfall prevented planting, swamped fields, swept away seedlings, and inhibited pollination.  Throughout all five counties, farmers are suffering harvest losses on their crops, including reports of up to 60 percent on sweet and yellow corn and 70 percent on strawberries.  The extensive damage caused by the rains has left local farmers struggling to get through this season.  I respectfully request you grant a disaster declaration for Rhode Island within all applicable rules and regulation.  Thank you for your attention to this request, and I look forward to your prompt response.The text of Reeds letter to the Senate Appropriations Committees Subcommittee on Agriculture follows:    I write to thank you for your continued support of Rhode Islands federal priorities and to request that you support disaster aid funding for Rhode Islands local farms when the Senate considers the FY07 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Rhode Island experienced more than 16 inches of rain during the months of May and June, devastating local farms across the state.  The heavy rainfall prevented planting, swamped fields, swept away seedlings, and inhibited pollination.  Throughout all five counties, farmers are suffering harvest losses on their crops, including reports of up to 60 percent on sweet and yellow corn and 70 percent on strawberries.  The extensive damage caused by the rains has left local farmers struggling to get through this difficult season, and federal disaster aid assistance is needed to relieve a portion of the financial burden placed on these farmers.  I respectfully request your support for providing disaster relief funding for these Rhode Island farms in the FY07 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  Thank you for your consideration of this request.