RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared Craig, Frederick, Page and Surry counties as a primary disaster area because of damage caused by drought and excessive heat in 2011.

Prince George County received the designation because of damage caused by Hurricane Irene.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Thursday that two dozen other localities bordering the primary disaster areas have been designated as contiguous disaster areas.

The designations make farmers in the localities eligible for federal aid.

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