Erie County has been designated a federal agriculture disaster area because of damage and losses caused by the heavy snow Dec. 10-12, James Barber, state executive director for the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in New York, announced.

Also named in the declaration because they are neighboring areas are Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The designation was declared Jan. 14, making all farm operators in the three counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans for physical losses only. Deadline for applications is Sept. 14.

For further information, farmers may contact the Farm Service Agency at 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, NY 14701, or call 664-2351.

Information also is available at

www.fsa.usda.gov

.