Farmers across North Carolina whose crops and livestock are hard-hit by the ongoing drought will get federal financial aid if Gov. Mike Easley gets his way.

Easley said Wednesday he will ask U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns for a federal disaster declaration for farmers hit by prolonged dry weather. That would allow them to apply for low-interest emergency relief loans.

Easley said almost all of North Carolina’s 100 counties may be affected by the request. Officials with the state Agriculture Department and the U.S. Farm Service Agency are finishing a statewide survey of crop loss data to establish which counties should be included.

“Early indications are that more than 90 counties may meet the criteria for federal disaster assistance,” Easley said. “Our farmers need our help and, since we cannot make it rain, we will do everything we can to provide them some financial assistance