Many counties are drought disaster areas MILWAUKEE, WI (wuwm) - The USDA has declared 42 Wisconsin counties disaster areas because of the drought this summer. That means farmers can apply for federal assistance. The dry weather hit farms hard, including those that weren't able to harvest enough grain to feed their livestock. Ben Brancel is State Executive Director of the USDA's Farm Service Agency. It will determine eligibility for farmers who apply for federal loans. Brancel spoke with WUWM's Ann-Elise Henzl. © Copyright 2009, wuwm