USDA designates two more Nebraska counties as disaster areas due to drought

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Two more Nebraska counties have been designated as natural disaster areas due to drought.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said farmers in Franklin and Harlan counties — both in the south-central part of the state — could qualify for emergency loans.

The designation came one day after the USDA declared a natural disaster due to drought in 12 Nebraska counties.

The department made the same designation for 12 separate counties in June, so a total of 27 of Nebraska’s 93 counties have been declared drought disaster areas this year.

Farmers in the adjacent counties can also apply for the loans, which can be used to replace livestock or equipment or to refinance some debts.