Eligible farm operators in designated natural disaster areas qualify for Farm Service Agency emergency loans and have eight months from the date of declaration to apply.

In Southwest Colorado, Dolores, Montezuma and San Miguel counties were designated because of losses and damages caused by hail and rain storms Sept. 14. Farmers and ranchers in contiguous counties, including La Plata, Montrose, Ouray and San Juan counties, also qualify for natural disaster assistance.

For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.