The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared Park County a disaster area because of drought conditions, according to an announcement Friday by Governor Matt Mead.

Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, Washakie and Weston counties had already been declared drought disaster areas by the USDA. Those counties as well as the contiguous counties, including Converse, Fremont, Goshen, Hot Springs, Platte and Teton Counties, will now be eligible for disaster aid.

That means emergency loans and other help will be available for farmers and ranchers who qualify in those areas.

More information is available from USDA Farm Service Agency offices or online.

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