Southside farmers eligible for drought relief

DANVILLE — Pittsylvania and Halifax counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture because of reductions in farm production caused by drought and excessive heat.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced the designation Monday in a news release.

The disaster designation, which was given to 11 counties, makes farmers eligible for low-interest loans and any supplemental relief that might be offered by Congress, the release states.

“The low-interest loans farmers in these counties are now eligible to apply for could provide much needed assistance,” Kaine said in the release. “We anticipate that the USDA will soon respond to the many additional requests for disaster designation.”

Farmers in Danville, as well as Henry County, also may be eligible for federal assistance.