14 Mo. counties received disaster declaration for farm damage

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Farmers in 14 western Missouri counties will be eligible for low-interest federal loans as a result of heavy rains and flood damage this summer.

Governor Matt Blunt's office says the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a disaster designation for the counties for damage suffered in June and July.

The counties named as primary disaster areas include Bates, Cass, Henry, Johnson, St. Clair and Vernon. The other counties included in the designation are Barton, Benton, Cedar, Hickory, Jackson, Lafayette, Pettis and Polk.

Farmers in those counties can get emergency low-interest loans from the Missouri Farm Service Agencies.