LANSING (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared the entire state of Michigan a natural disaster area because of the continuing drought and heat.
The department said Wednesday that all 83 counties are now classified as primary natural disaster areas because of drought and excessive heat conditions that began in March.
Gov. Rick Snyder says the declaration will help state farmers get more federal aid in dealing with crop or livestock losses.
Qualified farm operators now are eligible for low interest emergency loans from the department's Farm Service Agency.
Snyder's office says farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their losses.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
