WASHINGTON - Farmers in Iron, Gogebic, and Ontonagon Counties who suffered crop losses due to weather in 2009 may be eligible for low-interest federal loans.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 74 counties in Michigan as primary natural disaster areas due to a wide variety of conditions that occurred throughout 2009.  The declaration includes Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.  Farmers in Iron County, Wis. are also eligible because it borders on Gogebic County.

Farmers in the area have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.  There is no guarantee of aid.  The USDA's Farm Service Agency will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

More information is available at local USDA Service Centers and online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.