(AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers in 43 of South Carolina's 46 counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to cover losses from natural disasters caused by drought, extreme heat and insect infestations.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a release Wednesday the designation gives farmers the opportunity to apply for aid to cover losses suffered since May of last year.
The counties not included are Beaufort, Charleston and Jasper.
Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for loans to cover part of their actual losses.
The release said farmers in 16 North Carolina counties and 11 counties in Georgia also can apply for the loans because they are located next to eligible counties in South Carolina.
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