RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Do you live in one of the 10 Central Virginia localities designated as a natural drought disaster area? On Monday, March 31, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 22 Virgin ia localities as natural drought disaster areas. A natural drought disaster area is a place that experiences significant dryness and/or drought conditions during the growing season. Any farmers who live and grow in these areas may apply for assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans. The deadline for these applications is eight months from declaration -- meaning impacted farmers can apply through the end of November. New leash law going into effect for Hanover residents The following eight Central Virginia localities are now primary natural drought disaster areas: Caroline County Essex County King and Queen County King William County Lancaster County Middlesex County Northumberland County Richmond City The remaining 3 primary natural drought disaster areas outside of Central Virginia are Accomack, King George and Westmoreland counties. Another 11 localities also received natural drought area designations, though not primary ones. This is due to their proximity to primary drought localities. The two Central Virginia localities with that designation are: Hanover County New Kent County The remaining nine such localities outside of Central Virginia include Fairfax, Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Northampton, Prince William, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, as well as the city of Alexandria. Farmers in all 22 localities are eligible for assistance. For more information on how to apply for that assistance, click here. ...read more read less