The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping in to support farmers in South Dakota. Following severe and extended drought conditions, the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering emergency credit. This move aims to aid farmers in recovering from the damaging impacts of the drought.
These emergency loans cater to a variety of needs. They can be used to replace essentials like livestock or machinery, reshuffle farming operations, or even refinance specific debts.
When deciding on these loans, the FSA will evaluate based on factors like the magnitude of the losses experienced, available security, and the farmer's ability to repay.
Recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor pinpointed that parts of South Dakota experienced either a "D2 Drought-Severe" condition for eight weeks straight or faced "D3 Drought-Extreme" or "D4 Drought-Exceptional" conditions.
For those in South Dakota looking to seize this opportunity, there's a set deadline for applications which is April 15, 2024. Specifically, Moody County is the primary eligible area.
Several contiguous counties also qualify, including Brookings, Lake, and Minnehaha within South Dakota and Lincoln, Pipestone, and Rock in neighboring Minnesota.
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Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy, Weather