(Washington) -- Schuylkill County has been named a primary natural disaster area by the federal government. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the designation was made as the result of losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, high winds and tornadoes that occurred between March 15th and May 24th. Farmers and ranchers in eight other counties, including Berks, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, and Northumberland, also qualify for natural disaster assistance since they're contiguous to Schuylkill. All qualified farm operators in those areas are eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, as long as eligibility requirements are met. They have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their losses. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs.