Strawberry farmers are getting a break after Mother Nature gave the state's crop a pretty good beating this year. Frank Butler, with Strawberry Acres in Danville, says he lost his entire crop when a storm rolled through just before harvest time.

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Butler says about 60-thousand strawberry plants were wiped out back on May 21st. He and strawberry farmers in six Illinois counties may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help cover their costs. Federal Ag officials have issued disaster declarations for Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Ford and Iroquois, and Vermillion counties. Those who suffered crop losses from the May 21st storm have eight months to apply for loans through the Farm Service Agency.