By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has granted a Secretarial natural disaster designation for parts of Pennsylvania, following severe drought conditions that have affected producers across the region.
This designation enables eligible farmers to access emergency loans designed to support recovery efforts. These loans can be used for a variety of needs, including replacing damaged equipment or lost livestock, restructuring farming operations, or refinancing specific debts.
Loan applications are reviewed by FSA based on the severity of losses, available collateral, and the applicant’s repayment capacity.
Columbia County has been identified as the primary county impacted by the drought. Neighboring counties, including Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Sullivan, are also eligible for assistance due to their proximity. Farmers in these areas can apply for emergency credit until the deadline of April 20, 2026.
Producers seeking additional information can visit farmers.gov, where tools such as the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool are available to guide them through program options. Farmers are also encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to file a Notice of Loss or to discuss available resources.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Weather