The federal government has cleared the way for northcentral Idaho farmers to apply for disaster relief for crop damage caused by heavy rains and frost in earlier this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a disaster declaration this week for Lewis County, and enables farmers in neighboring Clearwater, Idaho and Nez Perce counties to apply for relief. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the order should help hundreds of farmers who suffered damage to dry bean, peas and bluegrass crops between late April and June.
All farmers in the four counties can qualify for low interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months to apply for the aid. (AP)
