FROM STAFF REPORTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified Iredell County as a contiguous disaster county due to recent drought conditions.

The disaster declaration is a result of Iredell’s proximity to Yadkin County, which was one of five counties designated as a primary natural disaster area. The other counties classified as primary disaster areas are Forsyth, Robeson, Stokes and Surry counties.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack notified Gov. Cooper of the primary and contiguous disaster designations earlier this month.

The federal disaster declaration makes farm operators in primary and contiguous areas eligible to be considered for FSA emergency loans.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration (July 22) to apply for emergency loans.