USDA Approves Disaster Aid for 7 North Dakota Counties

By Scout Nelson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 7 North Dakota counties as natural disaster areas because of drought conditions during the 2026 growing season. Four neighboring Montana counties are also eligible for assistance.

The designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to eligible farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters. These loans can help producers manage costs and rebuild their agricultural operations after serious losses.

Emergency loans may be used for several recovery needs. Producers can use the funds to replace essential equipment or livestock, reorganize their farming operations, or refinance certain debts. The FSA reviews applications based on the level of damage, available security, and the producer’s ability to repay the loan.

The disaster designation follows drought conditions reported during the growing season. The affected areas experienced drought rated D2 Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or reached D3 Extreme or D4 Exceptional drought levels.

In North Dakota, Golden Valley and McKenzie counties are listed as the primary counties eligible for assistance. Producers in several neighboring counties may also qualify because of their connection to the designated disaster areas.

The eligible contiguous North Dakota counties are Billings, Dunn, Mountrail, Slope, and Williams. Four contiguous counties in Montana also qualify: Fallon, Richland, Roosevelt, and Wibaux.

The triggering disaster is drought that began on May 12, 2026. Eligible producers have until April 13, 2027, to apply for emergency loan assistance.

The program is intended to provide financial support to agricultural producers dealing with losses caused by severe drought. Emergency credit can help farmers and ranchers maintain their operations while recovering from difficult growing conditions.

Producers in the designated counties should contact their local FSA office to learn more about eligibility, loan requirements, documentation, and application procedures. Early contact can help producers understand the available assistance and prepare their applications before the deadline.

Photo Credit: usda