ELEVEN WASHINGTON COUNTIES DESIGNATED AS PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREAS BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is extending essential emergency loans by USDA’s Secretarial natural disaster designation to producers to recover from disasters triggered by excessive heat in Washington State that occurred from March 15, 2023 through July 31, 2023. Producers can apply for FSA emergency loans to address recovery needs such as the replacement of equipment or livestock, farm operation reorganization, or to refinance specific debts. Loan eligibility will be reviewed by FSA based on the amount of loss, available security, and ability to repay the debt. Primarily, the designation eligibility is extended to the following Washington Counties: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Walla Walla, and Yakima. The bordering counties in Washington that are also eligible are Columbia, Ferry, King, Lewis, Lincoln, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Whatcom, and Whitman counties. These bordering Oregon counties are also eligible: Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco counties.

To find out more about USDA FSA emergency loans and to apply go here.

To assist, check out these additional resources:

• USDA Farmers.gov Disaster Recovery Tool
• USDA Farmers.gov Disaster Assistance at a Glance Fact Sheet
• USDA Farmers.gov Loan Assistance Tool

Contact your local USDA Service Center to file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions.