More 2008 Rain and Flooding

• PHOTOS: Manna Christian owners get more time to clean up Fay-flooded trailer park
• PHOTOS: Water is gone but Bonita flood victims fight to stay afloat
• Singing bonds Bonita flood victim children

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NAPLES — Agricultural producers in 59 of Florida’s 67 counties are eligible for federal disaster assistance for damage from Tropical Storm Fay.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 36 counties impacted by the storm as primary disaster areas and 23 others as contiguous disaster areas.

“We are very appreciative of the Bush Administration’s decision to honor our request in having these counties declared disaster areas so that farmers and ranchers impacted by the storm can seek the disaster assistance that many of them need to rebuild their businesses,” said Charlie Bronson, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner.

On Sept. 3, Bronson asked Gov. Charlie Crist to seek federal disaster declarations for the counties battered by high winds, excessive rainfall, flooding and tornadoes associated with Fay.

Agricultural producers in the designated counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loans, and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

The Farm Service Agency will consider each application on its own merits, and local offices can provide farmers with more information.

Counties receiving the primary disaster declaration are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Indian River, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Madison, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Suwannee, Union, Volusia, Wakulla and Washington.

The counties receiving the contiguous county disaster declaration are: Broward, Calhoun, Citrus, De Soto, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hardee, Jackson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Liberty, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Taylor and Walton.