This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
Triggering Disaster 1:
Impacted Area: Maine
Triggering Disaster: Frost
Application Deadline: March 5, 2024
Primary Counties Eligible: Androscoggin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Washington
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
New Hampshire: Carroll, Coos
Triggering Disaster 2:
Impacted Area: Massachusetts
Triggering Disaster: Freeze
Application Deadline: March 11, 2024
Primary Counties Eligible: Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Worcester
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
Connecticut: Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland, Windham
Massachusetts: Barnstable, Dukes, Suffolk
New Hampshire: Cheshire, Hillsborough, Rockingham
New York: Columbia, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Suffolk
Rhode Island: Bristol, Newport, Providence
Vermont: Bennington, Windham
More Resources
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.
Farm Service Agency:
1400 Independence Ave.
SW Washington, DC 20250
Contact:
FPAC Press Desk
FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov