Va areas get disaster designation

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is designating some Virginia areas as natural disaster areas because of drought and excessive heat in 2008 that caused reductions in farm production.

Gov. Tim Kaine says the designation makes farmers eligible for low-interest loans and any other relief that might be provided by Congress in the future.

Those receiving the designation include Brunswick, Charlotte, Gloucester, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Prince George, Scott and Surry counties. Nearby counties and cities also may be eligible for federal assistance.

Disaster declarations make farm operators in both primary and contiguous areas eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.