By Associated Press
Washington, DC – U-S Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has approved Alabama's request for a crop disaster declaration in 55 counties for farmers who suffered losses due to a late spring freeze that wiped out much of the state's peach, wheat, corn crops.
Governor Bob Riley requested the disaster aid on May 2nd. The declaration will allow farmers to get low-interest loans to replant, payoff production costs and refinance existing debt.
State agriculture officials previously said Alabama farmers sustained at least 60 (m) million dollars in losses when temperatures over the Easter Weekend plunged below freezing.
Farmers have eight months to apply for the special loans.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)