By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated four Missouri counties as natural disaster areas due to drought, allowing eligible farmers to apply for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The designation provides financial assistance to agricultural producers facing losses from severe, prolonged, or exceptional drought conditions during the growing season.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, affected counties experienced either severe drought (D2) for at least eight consecutive weeks or extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions.
Eligible primary counties include Camden, Laclede, Phelps, and Pulaski. Twelve neighboring Missouri counties also qualify for assistance: Benton, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Gasconade, Hickory, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Texas, Webster, and Wright.
Emergency loans can help farmers replace essential equipment and livestock, reorganize operations, or refinance certain existing debts. The FSA evaluates applications based on agricultural losses, available collateral, and repayment ability.
The application deadline is June 21, 2027. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to file a Notice of Loss or learn about eligibility requirements and available assistance programs.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Missouri, Government & Policy