By Scout Nelson
Three counties in South Dakota are now eligible for disaster assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This announcement follows a Secretarial natural disaster designation, giving the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) the ability to offer emergency loans to help farmers recover from the impacts of severe drought.
These emergency loans can be used for several needs. Farmers may use the funds to replace lost equipment or livestock, refinance existing debts, or reorganize their operations. Each loan request is reviewed based on how much the farmer lost, their ability to repay the loan, and the value of any available security.
The USDA made this designation based on data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. It shows that the affected counties experienced severe drought conditions. This includes areas that faced D2 (Severe Drought) for at least eight weeks in a row or D3 (Extreme Drought) or D4 (Exceptional Drought) at any point during the growing season.
This support helps South Dakota farmers get back on their feet after tough weather conditions. Drought can lower crop yields, reduce feed supplies, and lead to financial stress for many farm families. These loans give producers a chance to recover and continue their work.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-stockseller_ukr
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Government & Policy, Weather