By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Aurora County in South Dakota as a Secretarial natural disaster area because of severe drought conditions. The designation gives eligible agricultural producers access to emergency loan assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to help recover from drought-related losses.
The disaster declaration follows drought conditions that meet the U.S. Drought Monitor's qualifying levels for severe, extreme, or exceptional drought during the growing season. Through this designation, farmers and ranchers can apply for financial assistance to help restore normal farming operations and recover production losses.
Emergency loans are available for many recovery needs. Producers may use the funds to replace damaged equipment or livestock, reorganize farming operations, repair drought-related losses, or refinance certain existing debts. Each application is reviewed individually based on the amount of loss, available security, and the applicant's ability to repay the loan.
Aurora County is the primary county eligible for assistance under this disaster designation.
The designation also extends eligibility to producers in neighboring counties. Farmers and ranchers in Brule, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Jerauld, and Sanborn counties may also qualify for assistance because their counties share a border with the primary disaster area.
Drought continues to create difficult conditions for many agricultural operations by reducing crop yields, limiting pasture growth, and increasing production costs. Emergency loan programs help producers continue operating while recovering these challenges.
The deadline to apply for USDA emergency loan assistance under this drought disaster designation is March 10, 2027.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy, Weather