The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that farmers in a number of Maine counties are now eligible for disaster assistance through the Farm Services Agency (FSA) due to losses caused by multiple disasters earlier this year.

According to the USDA, farmers have 8 months to apply for emergency loan assistance. For more information on FSA programs and eligibility requirements, Mainers should contact the Maine FSA office at 207-990-9140 or visit the FSA website.

Details supplied by USDA on the disaster declarations and the Maine counties eligible for assistance as follows.

Designation: The combined effects of excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, high winds, hail, and lightening that occurred from May 29 through June 8, 2012.

Primary counties: Androscoggin and Oxford

Benefits are also available for the contiguous counties of Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, and York. Also eligible are New Hampshire's Carroll and Coos counties.