Every county in Georgia could qualify for disaster assistance from the federal government.

The designation comes on the heels of several very warm, dry months.

Farm operators throughout the state are eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, and help from the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says most of Georgia lost 30 percent or more of crops because of the heat and drought since July 1st.

Originally 151 counties were considered disaster areas, but a rule allows the remaining eight contiguous counties to qualify for the loans.

Farmers in qualified counties have until July 26, 2011 to apply for emergency loan assistance.

Tags: drought, USDA, disaster assistance, emergency loans