Disaster relief is OK'd for Bay State farmers

The US Department of Agriculture has approved disaster relief for Massachusetts farmers whose crops were damaged by severe weather last summer, state officials said.

In a letter to federal officials, Governor Deval L. Patrick noted that "hail, high winds, excessive rainfall, and excessive heat between June 15 and Aug. 24 caused damage to crops including alfalfa, pumpkins, and apples, while lightning strikes damaged buildings and livestock," state officials said in a press release issued yesterday.

Farmers in Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties are eligible for low interest loans and other benefits, state officials said, and farmers in adjacent counties, including Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk, and Suffolk, may also qualify for the benefits.

Farmers have eight months from Nov. 20 to apply for loans, state officials added.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)