US Department of Agriculture declares Oklahoma a disaster area

Wednesday, March 15th 2006, 11:36 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designed Oklahoma as a "primary natural disaster area" because of an extensive drought that has hurt many farmers, Gov. Brad Henry announced Wednesday.

Henry sought the designation in a Nov. 30 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, who approved it after the USDA reviewed crop damage in the state's 77 counties.

Johanns' action will make farm operators throughout the state eligible to be considered for low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency. Additional information on such loans will be available at local FSA offices.

Henry said the designation will help farmers who are struggling with the effects of the drought, high temperatures and high winds.

"The greatest help would be significant rainfall, of course, but this designation can provide a measure of help in the meantime," he said.