Drought leads to disaster declaration in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Farmers across much of Missouri are eligible for federal aid as a result of a natural disaster declaration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday the declaration means farmers can get emergency loans and other assistance from the USDA's Farm Service Agency.

The disaster declaration applies to 31 counties that have suffered extreme or exceptional drought, or have been in a severe drought for more than eight weeks. Farmers in an additional 32 neighboring counties also can receive aid.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill praised the announcement.

"Folks in Missouri see the effects of this drought everywhere they look -- from lost and damaged crops, to navigation challenges on our rivers," McCaskill said. "So this declaration is good news for our farmers, and the livelihoods of folks whose jobs are affected by these severe conditions."

The designation will make farm operators eligible for emergency loans provided by the Farm Service Agency. Farmers in eligible counties will have eight months to apply for the loans.

Counties under the primary disaster declaration are: Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Bates, Caldwell, Callaway, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Dunklin, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Lafayette, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Pike, Ralls, Ray, Warren and Worth.

Counties designated as contiguous disaster counties are: Adair, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Miller, New Madrid, Osage, Pemiscot, Platte, Randolph, St. Charles, St. Clair, Saline, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan and Vernon.