Federal agriculture officials have declared 22 Georgia counties disaster areas due to drought conditions that have left crops parched.

Gov. Nathan Deal sought the federal help earlier this month in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Deal on Monday said the designation means that farmers and their businesses will qualify for much-needed federal relief.

The counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Chatham, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Dodge, Effingham, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Telfair, Thomas, Wayne and Wheeler.

Farmers in counties contiguous to the disaster counties may be considered for assistance.

Farmers may contact their local Farm Service Agency office for more information.

Tags: Tom Vilsack, Governor Nathan Deal, Agricultural Disaster Designation