AMELIA -- Amelia County officials are asking the state to declare the county an agricultural disaster area and make it eligible for federal drought assistance.

The Amelia Board of Supervisors tonight unanimously adopted a resolution making the request, which will be sent to the governor's office.

The Amelia County Food and Agriculture Committee estimates the county's crop losses at $5.6 million for the year.

The county is seeking assistance for its farmers to use for reseeding pastures and hay fields and for livestock feed. The Amelia board also asked that low interest loans be made available as soon as possible.

Robyn Whittington, a former Amelia cooperative extension agent who helped the county prepare the resolution, said a late spring freeze and extensive heat during the summer hurt the county's crops, but the lack of rainfall has been the most damaging.