WASHINGTON (AP) _ The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making disaster aid available to farmers in 37 Minnesota counties, mostly in the northern two-thirds of the state.
In its announcement Thursday, the USDA cites the combined effects of excessive rain, flooding, flash flooding, unseasonably cool temperatures, frosts and freezes, and drought during the 2009 growing season.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the declaration will provide help to hundreds of farmers who suffered significant production losses to a wide variety of crops.
Governor Tim Pawlenty requested the designation in January.
All qualified farm operators in the designated areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans and other aid from the USDA's farm service agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.