SIOUX FALLS, SD – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Clay, Marshall and Sanborn counties in South Dakota as natural disaster areas. The designation comes in response to losses due to excessive flooding that started in April. Farmers and ranchers may also qualify for natural disaster assistance if they live in Aurora, Beadle, Brown, Davison, Day, Hanson, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lincoln, Miner, Roberts, Turner, Union or Yankton counties. A federal disaster designation allows farm operators to obtain low-interest emergency loans, if they meet eligibility requirements. Farmers have eight months from the declaration date to apply for a loan to cover part of their actual losses.
© 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved