Because of the region’s extremely dry conditions, the US Department of Agriculture is fast-tracking drought relief to farmers in more than 60-counties in southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, and southwest Indiana.
Under new USDA rules announced Wednesday, those counties automatically qualify for a disaster designation. No formal declaration is necessary. The criteria include severe drought conditions for eight or more consecutive weeks during the growing season. In southern Illinois the counties included in the designation are Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Jasper, Crawford, and Clark.
Illinois Agriculture Department Acting Director Bob Flider says farmers in the affected counties may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans. They should contact their county Farm Service Agency office. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to announce the state's plan for drought assistance on Monday.
