NEW JERSEY -- The state's farmers who had a bad season thanks to mother nature may now get some federal assistance.

Tuesday the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designated six counties as natural disaster areas following high winds, frost, and flooding last May that ruined large quantities of crops.

The designation covers losses in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Burlington, Camden, and Ocean Counties from May 7th to May 31st.

Eligible farmers will have eight months from now to apply for emergency loan assistance.