By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared Golden Valley County in North Dakota a natural disaster area due to ongoing drought conditions. This Secretarial natural disaster designation enables the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency credit support through low-interest loans to assist farmers recovering from severe losses.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Golden Valley County experienced either a D2 (Severe Drought) for at least eight weeks or D3 (Extreme Drought) or D4 (Exceptional Drought) during the growing season. These conditions significantly impacted agricultural operations, prompting the disaster designation.
Farmers and producers can apply for emergency loans to help replace essential farm items such as equipment and livestock. The loans can also be used to restructure farming operations or refinance existing debt. Each loan application will be reviewed based on the applicant’s level of loss, available security, and ability to repay.
In addition to Golden Valley, nearby North Dakota counties including Billings, McKenzie, and Slope are also eligible for assistance. Farmers in Montana’s Fallon and Wibaux counties, which are adjacent to the disaster area, are likewise included in the support zone.
The application deadline for emergency loans is February 2, 2026. Farmers are encouraged to explore resources on farmers.gov, such as the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool to identify available options.
For help filing a Notice of Loss or understanding program eligibility, producers should reach out to their local USDA Service Center.
This initiative provides vital support to ensure farmers can recover from disaster impacts and continue their essential contributions to agriculture.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: North Dakota, Business