The US Department of Agriculture this month streamlined the process for declaring counties as disaster areas. That has sped up the process for Kansas, which has already declared most the state because of the drought.

State Director of the Farm Service Agency Adrian Polansky says the disaster declaration makes emergency loans available.

For more information or assistance on applying for emergency loans or other resources, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.

Governor Brownback has requested primary disaster declaration for 37 more counties including Ellis.