Thirty-six Indiana counties, including Pulaski, Fulton and Cass counties, made the USDA's primary natural disaster list released Thursday, and 19 counties adjacent to the drought counties, including Starke, Jasper and White, also qualify for natural disaster assistance. See the USDA's July 11 drought disaster designation map here.

Federal officials declared more than half of Indiana and nearly a third of the nation a natural disaster area for farms and ranches affected by the drought. Purdue University agriculture economist Chris Hurt has said the drought already is expected to shrink the state’s farm economy by $1 billion this year, with experts predicting a 10 percent drop in agricultural revenue - or more if drought conditions persist.

Farmers in the disaster-declared 55 counties are eligible to apply for low-interest loans - 2.25 percent instead of the current rate of 3.75 percent. Farmers can contact a Farm Service Agency office for specific information about the loans and other relief, according to the USDA.

Most farmers have crop insurance, according to Dr. Hurt, which will cover 75 percent of their losses.

Drought plagued Indiana in 1934, 1936 and 1988. Hurt believes such droughts hit about three or four times every 100 years, and Indiana was due.

Consumers can also expect to feel farmers’ pain at the grocery store, with prices of grain-related foods and grain-fed meat rising even more than expected.