FARMERS ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF

Farmers in eight Southeast Missouri counties are eligible for disaster relief for crop losses this summer from severe weather.

Gov. Mel Carnahan announced the financial aid Monday.

Farmers in Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott and Stoddard counties are eligible for the aid, Carnahan said.

The eligibility is based on damage assessment reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency.

"I'm pleased that some of our Bootheel farmers who suffered production losses because of severe weather will be able to get financial aid to help them through these rough times," Carnahan said.

Farmers in the eight counties will be eligible to apply for low-interest loans as a result of the federal disaster declaration. The loans can be used to restore or replace property, cover all or part of production costs this year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize farming operations and refinance debt.