DES MOINES - Twenty drought-damaged Iowa counties were declared federal disaster areas Wednesday, which gives farmers in those counties and adjacent counties access to low-interest loans.

Counties receiving the declaration include: Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Des Moines, Dickinson, Harrison, Humboldt, Ida, Lee, Lucas, Madison, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Plymouth, Sac, Sioux, Woodbury, and Worth.

"I am pleased the USDA has responded positively to my request for assistance on behalf of Iowans," said Gov. Tom Vilsack, whose office announced the declaration. "The losses felt by Iowa's agriculture community were great. These resources will help them through difficult times and ensure they continue to provide a strong and sustainable future for our state."

State officials sought, but did not receive, the declaration for two more counties, Adair and Webster. But those counties will be eligible for benefits because they are adjacent to ones that received the declaration.

The other adjacent counties eligible for benefits are: Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Guthrie, Hancock, Henry, Kossuth, Louisa, Lyon, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Mitchell, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Winnebago, and Wright.

The low-interest loans will be available through the emergency loan program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA. The annual interest rate is 3.75 percent.

Farmers have eight months to apply for the loans through their local Farm Service Agency office. To be eligible, a farmer must have a loss of at least 30 percent of crop or livestock production because of the dry weather.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said the drought was at its worst in May through July. The northwest part of the state suffered the most. According to his figures, the 12 counties in the northwest part of the state set a record for the least precipitation in those three months. Records have been kept since 1890.

A rainy August boosted the average precipitation for the year, but the damage had already been done, Hillaker said.

He notes that the hardest hit counties are the ones that had some of the best weather a year ago. Last year, there was a disaster declaration for much of the eastern and east-central parts of the state.

"It's been quite a contrast," Hillaker said.

Contact Dan Gearino at (515) 243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.