JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 28 counties across southern Missouri as natural disaster areas because of severe drought.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the designation Wednesday afternoon. It paves the way for farm operations to seek millions of dollars in emergency loans for 2010 crop losses.
The declaration covers the counties of Barry, Bates, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Dunklin, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Lawrence, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Pemiscot, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Clair, Stoddard, Texas, Wayne and Webster.
The USDA said farmers in some contiguous counties also may qualify for natural disaster assistance.
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