Gloucester and Mathews counties are among 40 additional Virginia localities that have recently received USDA Drought Disaster designations. This brings the total to 125. A release from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the designation allows farmers in such counties to apply for emergency assistance. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu), these localities suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional, VDACS said. Drought disaster assistance includes FSA emergency loans. Provided eligibility requirements are met, FSA will assess each emergency loan application individually to consider specific circumstances and needs. Farmers in eligible localities have eight months from the date of disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. For more information on available assistance programs and the a...