Ag department declares much of La disaster

Associated Press - November 30, 2009 1:54 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Most of Louisiana falls under a federal disaster declaration that allows for farmers affected by early season drought and heavy rains later in the year to seek emergency loans or other aid.

The designation announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday affects all but one Louisiana parish. It also allows for farmers in more than two dozen neighboring counties, in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, to apply for assistance.

It covers much of the planting and production year, April through October.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement that the declaration will provide help to hundreds of farmers who had significant crop losses.