USDA Helps SD Producers Recover from Storms

By Scout Nelson

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated three South Dakota counties as natural disaster areas following severe straight-line winds that caused significant damage during December 2025. The disaster declaration allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers affected by the storm.

The disaster declaration covers straight-line winds that occurred between December 17, 2025, and December 18, 2025. Through this designation, eligible farmers and ranchers can apply to the USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans to help recover from weather-related losses and restore normal farming operations.

Emergency loans provide financial support for a variety of recovery needs. Producers may use the funds to replace damaged equipment, purchase livestock, repair or rebuild essential farm resources, reorganize their farming operations, or refinance certain existing debts. Each loan application is evaluated based on the producer's losses, available security, and ability to repay the loan.

The primary counties eligible for assistance include Custer, Fall River, and Pennington in South Dakota. Farmers and ranchers located in these counties may qualify directly for emergency loan assistance.

The disaster declaration also extends eligibility to producers in neighboring counties. Eligible contiguous counties include Haakon, Jackson, Lawrence, Meade, and Oglala Lakota in South Dakota, Dawes and Sioux counties in Nebraska, and Niobrara and Weston counties in Wyoming.

Agricultural producers who experienced losses from the severe wind event are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to learn about available assistance and determine their eligibility. Agency staff can provide guidance on loan requirements, application procedures, and documentation needed during the review process.

The deadline to apply for emergency loan assistance is December 7, 2026. Producers are encouraged to begin the application process early to allow enough time to gather required records and complete all necessary paperwork.

Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency