Even though Dallas County and a large portion of Alabama’s Black Belt are no longer listed under drought conditions, the damage from a much drier 2010 has already occurred.

Tuesday, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture had declared all 67 Alabama counties areas of primary natural disaster by the federal government because of the damage drought and excessive heat had caused on state crops since March 1.

Due to the disaster declaration, all qualified farm operators are eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.

“President Obama and I understand these conditions caused severe damage to a wide variety of crops and prevented farmers from harvesting these crops,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “This action will provide help to … farmers who suffered significant production losses.”

Tanya Brown, spokeswoman for the USDA, said farmers who have incurred losses due to the drought can file for low interest loans to help offset the losses.

“The best way to apply for the loans is to contact your county office to begin the process,” Brown said.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. SURE Program applications for 2010 crop losses will be accepted in 2011, when the 2010 farm revenue data required by statute becomes available.

Farmers who would like more information should contact their local FSA office.