Gov. Steve Beshear has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that, if granted, could make some aid programs available to Kentucky farmers.

Beshear requested the declaration by letter Wednesday, according to his office.

"Preliminary reports indicate that Kentucky farmers have lost crops, livestock and incurred damage to buildings and infrastructure," Beshear said. "The severe storms and flooding have impacted all facets of Kentucky's agricultural industry, and assistance from the USDA is critical and necessary to offset resulting income losses."

The request is the first step in the process of making federal assistance available to farmers.