By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for parts of Pennsylvania, enabling the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers affected by excessive rainfall. This designation is intended to help farmers and ranchers recover from disaster-related losses and stabilize their operations.
Under this program, eligible producers may apply for FSA emergency loans to address a wide range of recovery needs. These loans can be used to replace essential property such as farm equipment or livestock, cover costs associated with reorganizing a farming operation, or refinance certain existing debts that were impacted by the disaster.
Each loan application will be evaluated by FSA based on the severity of losses, the availability of adequate security, and the applicant’s ability to repay.
Cumberland County has been identified as the primary county eligible for assistance. In addition, producers in contiguous counties like Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry, and York may also qualify for emergency loan benefits.
Farmers seeking assistance are encouraged to act promptly, as the application deadline is September 29, 2026. To report losses or learn more about available USDA programs, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for guidance and support.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy